Arch Manning leads a revamped offense against the high-powered Bobcats as Will Muschamp’s defense looks to stifle an in-state upset bid before a massive showdown with Ohio State.
Ohio State can wait a week.
No. 5 Texas enters 2026 carrying national championship expectations, plenty of attention surrounding Arch Manning and a Sept. 12 showdown with the Buckeyes already waiting on the schedule.
First, the Longhorns have some business to handle much closer to home.
Texas hosts Texas State at 2:30 p.m. CT Saturday at DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium, marking only the second meeting between the two programs. The Longhorns won their lone previous matchup 36-0 … all the way back in 1930.
Ninety-six years later, Texas enters as a massive favorite. The intrigue comes from what we learn along the way.
Manning sits at the center of it.
The senior quarterback enters his second full season as Texas' starter with a revamped group of weapons around him, including Auburn transfer Cam Coleman and running backs Hollywood Smothers and Raleek Brown.
Coleman arrives after leading Auburn with 708 receiving yards on 56 catches with five touchdowns last season. Manning, meanwhile, threw for 3,163 yards and 26 touchdowns during his first full season as the starter.
With Ohio State looming, Saturday gives Steve Sarkisian an opportunity to establish some offensive rhythm before the degree of difficulty rises dramatically.
Texas State provides an interesting early test on the other side of the ball.
Quarterback Brad Jackson returns after completing 71.3% of his passes for 3,224 yards and 21 touchdowns last season while adding 744 yards and 17 scores on the ground. Receivers Beau Sparks and Chris Dawn Jr. each surpassed 1,000 receiving yards in 2025.
The Bobcats finished 7-6 and capped their season with a 41-10 Armed Forces Bowl victory over Rice. They enter Austin riding a four-game winning streak.
That makes Saturday our first meaningful look at Will Muschamp's new Texas defense.
Muschamp is back for his second stint as Longhorns defensive coordinator after previously holding the job from 2008-10. A unit headlined by Colin Simmons possesses a sizable talent advantage, while Texas State's experienced offense gives Muschamp something legitimate to solve before next week's much larger challenge.
Predictions:
Final score: Texas 45, Texas State 17
Texas State has enough offensive firepower to create some problems early. Over four quarters, Texas' depth and talent should create separation.
Arch Manning throws for 300-plus yards and three touchdowns.
Manning surpassed 300 passing yards three times last season, and Saturday gives Sarkisian an opportunity to establish some rhythm with his revamped group of weapons before Ohio State arrives.
Texas forces at least two turnovers.
Muschamp's defenses have historically been built around pressure and disruption, and Texas should have an advantage up front. Jackson's experience gives Texas State opportunities to create plays … though four quarters against Simmons and the Longhorns' front should eventually produce mistakes.
Cam Coleman scores in his Texas debut.
Coleman led Auburn in receiving last season and now joins Manning's arsenal in Austin. Saturday gives us our first look at what their connection could become.
Texas should win comfortably.
The more interesting question comes afterward: How much did we learn about whether this team is ready for Ohio State?
