Texas will welcome former Longhorn G.J. Kinne and the Texas State Bobcats to Austin to kick off the 2026 season. Kinne is in his 4th season in San Marcos and is coming off bowl victories in each of his first three seasons. Texas State is moving to the reinvented PAC-12 and is returning several quality pieces that have them among the dark-horse contenders to represent the Group of Six in the College Football Playoff.

Offense

As a former quarterback, offense is Kinne’s specialty, and the Bobcats have one of the most dangerous G6 units in the country. Returning QB Brad Jackson combined for 38 touchdowns on the ground and through the air, and will also welcome back a pair of 1,000-yard receivers in Chris Dawn and Beau Sparks. Jackson is a legitimate dual threat who will use his legs frequently in the red zone. Texas State ranked in the top 10 in points and yards per game in 2025.

One area where Texas State is experiencing significant turnover is the running back room. 1,000-yard rusher Lincoln Pare exhausted his eligibility, and likely replacement Greg Burrell was dismissed from the program over the summer. This leaves the Bobcats with Jaylen Jenkins (31 carries for 170 yards in 2025) as the RB with the most returning production.

Texas State experienced very few impact portal departures compared to most G6 programs, but the Bobcats will have to replace two starting offensive linemen who will be playing for P4 programs in 2026. RG Justin DeLeon and RT Sully Burns will return on the right side to anchor the line. William Boone, a transfer from UNC who began his career at Prairie View A&M, was one of the biggest portal additions of the offseason and will slot in at LT. Texas State allowed 27 sacks last year.

Defense

As good as the Texas State offense was in 2025, the defense found itself on the opposite end of the spectrum. The Bobcats allowed 30 or more points in 7 of their 13 games, prompting a defensive coordinator change in the offseason.

The defensive front is undergoing significant change, with defensive linemen Jordan Sanders and Kamren Washington transferring out to P4 programs. Arkansas transfer Kaleb James figures to see significant snaps and will be joined by returner Bryce Carter (12 tackles in 2025). McNeese State transfer Phillip Bradford was a very productive player at the FCS level (5.5 sacks) and will be counted on heavily.

Former Texas player Terrence Cooks will see a lot of time at linebacker. Cooks, who transferred from Texas to TCU before finding his way to San Marcos, recorded 50 tackles and 2 sacks in 2025.

The secondary was another position hit by attrition, with starting corner Kharmi Terrell departing for Washington State. The departure of Terrell and the graduation of Jaden Rios leave Texas State breaking in two new starters at cornerback, but the Bobcats do return safety Ryan Nolan, who briefly entered the portal before withdrawing.

Final Thoughts

The spread is 30 points for a reason, but Texas State is on the upper end of G6 opponents Texas could draw in the opener. Will Muschamp’s new defense will be tested immediately and the Texas offense will also have to adjust on the fly against a defense with a new coordinator.

Albeit narrow, there is a path for Texas State to make this a real game and push Texas deep into the second half. It will likely require some help from the Longhorn, so all the normal things you worry about in game 1 (tackling, miscommunications, penalties) must be crisper than they were for much of the first half of last season. If Arch Manning picks up where he left off to end 2026 and the rebuilt Texas OL can lean on Texas State as the game stretches on, the Longhorns should be able to put points on the board and shake off any cobwebs.