Longhorns favored by 35 against Rice Owls in season opener

Texas Longhorns linebacker Jaylan Ford (41) celebrates a late 4th quarter fumble recovery during the game against Iowa State at Royal Memorial Stadium in Austin, Texas on Oct. 15, 2022.  Photo: Aaron E. Martinez/American-Statesman / USA TODAY NETWORK

When the #11 ranked Texas Longhorns take the field against the Rice Owls on Saturday it will mark the 97th meeting between the former Southwest Conference foes.  Texas has beaten the Owls 15 straight and 43 of their last 44 meetings, including a 58-0 shutout when they last played in 2021.  The Vegas oddsmakers currently have the Longhorns favored to win by 35 points.

Texas improved in their second season under head coach Steve Sarkisian, posting an 8-5 record after finishing Sarkisian’s inaugural season in Austin at 5-7.  The Longhorns return all five starters on the offensive line and starting quarterback Quinn Ewers, who threw for 2,177 yards and 15 touchdowns last season.  A loaded wide receiver corps led by Xavier Worthy and Georgia transfer AD Mitchell, looks to benefit from a healthy, more disiplined Ewers that assumed the role of team leader in the offseason.  Filling the void at running back left by Bijan Roinson and Roschon Johnson will be a tall task, but the Longhorns have plenty of talent in Jonathan Brooks, Keilan Robinson, Jaydon Blue and CJ Baxter and Savion Red. 

Defensively, Bo Davis must be happy with the production returning to the line.  Barryn Sorrell, T’Vondre Sweat, Vernon Broughton, Alfred Collins and Jaylon Guilbeau are all guys that made things difficult for quarterbacks last season.  All-American linebacker Jaylon Ford decided to forego the NFL Draft and returned to the 40 Acres for his senior season after notching a team-high 119 tackles (61 solo) last season.  The depth at defensive back is still being sorted, but seniors Jerrin Thompson and Jahdae Barron return this season to anchor the Longhorns’ secondary.

The Rice Owls last won in Austin in 1965 as members of the Southwest Conference.  On Saturday, the Owls will play their first game as members of the American Athletic Conference.  Led by head coach Mike Bloomgren who is in his sixth season at Rice, Rice finished the 2022 season 5-8.  The Owls return 12 starters this season.

Saturday’s season opener will honor Texas’ 1963 National Championship team as well as legendary Longhorn linebacker Derrick Johnson who was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame this year.