Today, the Texas Longhorns host the UTSA Roadrunners in their first night game of the season. In the YouTube video above, our Devon Messinger and Dylan DeRaud name their X-factors to watch.
Messinger’s X-Factors:
The key to today’s game is mentality. If the Longhorns walk into Saturday’s game thinking about their win against Michigan, UTSA can make things interesting. However, following their loss against Texas State, I am not overly confident about the Roadrunners. As a result, expect Steve Sarkisian to be able to shuffle in a lot of bodies in a relatively quiet game.
DeRaud’s X-Factors:
My X-factors for this matchup is the running back duo, Robert Henry and Kevorian Barnes. UTSA only has 66 yards on 30 carries total this season. If this trend continues, the game could quickly slip out of control for the Roadrunners. Without production on the ground, quarterback Owen McCown will be in for a long day against a secondary and front seven that have been feasting on opponents. Having only allowed 12 points in two games to Colorado State and Michigan. If UTSA can have over 100 yards rushing this game, they have a chance to keep the game within striking distance going into the fourth quarter against the Longhorns.