Preview: No. 2 Texas Longhorns vs. UTSA Roadrunners

The Texas Longhorns (2-0, 0-0 SEC) return home following a decisive victory in Ann Arbor against defending national champion Michigan. Through two games the Longhorns look like a team that is on a path towards their second consecutive College Football Playoff appearance. Up next for Steve Sarkisian and his team are the UTSA Roadrunners (1-1, 0-0 AAC).

What: No. 2 Texas Longhorns vs. UTSA Roadrunners
Date: Saturday, September 14, 2024
Time: 6:00 PM
Venue: Darrell K. Royal – Texas Memorial Stadium
Location: Austin, TX
TV: ESPN
The Line: Texas -35

UTSA has been a successful Group of Five team since Jeff Traylor was hired as head coach. Traylor’s first season in San Antonio was in 2020, and since then the Roadrunners have amassed an impressive 39-15 record with two conference titles. UTSA and Texas played last in 2022, which saw the two programs tied at halftime at Darrell K. Royal – Texas Memorial Stadium. The Longhorns eventually pulled away for a 41-20 victory but the Roadrunners earned the respect of the the Texas coaches, players and fans alike.

The Roadrunners are coming off a game in which Texas State beat them 49-10. Jeff Traylor seems to finally have a group that may just be a little too inexperienced to compete for an AAC title. After last week’s performance, Traylor will have his troops ready to play, regardless of the talent difference, and Texas needs to show up ready to play like they have the first two weeks.

There is a reason the Longhorns enter the game as 35 point favorites. In his Monday presser, Traylor mentioned that this is the best team he has faced during his tenure at UTSA. The game isn’t played on paper – Texas will have to go out and prove it on Saturday.

Texas has talent all over the field but one intriguing member of the Longhorns is a familiar face for the Roadrunners. Pass rusher Trey Moore transferred from UTSA last winter after having 22 sacks for the Roadrunners the last two seasons. Moore is regarded as one of the best players to come through San Antonio. He doesn’t have any sacks this season but it won’t be a surprise if he has multiple after Saturday. You can bet Moore will be looking to show out against his former teammates.

The Longhorns will be welcomed back by a roaring crowd of over 100,000 fans in the second of three non-conference games on the schedule this season. Quarterback Quinn Ewers is currently the favorite to win the Heisman Trophy and this is a game in which he can pad his stats to make his resume look even better as December approaches. Look for Texas to try and establish the run, something they have struggled with so far this year. Sarkisian wants to get the run game rolling before SEC play and this presents a good opportunity to do so. Last week Texas State ran for more than 4 yards a carry and Texas clearly has a superior offensive line and running game than the Bobcats.

At the end of the day the Longhorns marched into Michigan Stadium and throttled the Wolverines, and the Roadrunners don’t have near the talent Michigan does. It will take a lot of self inflicted wounds by Texas for UTSA to stay competitive in this game.