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Texas Football: 5 Biggest Games for Longhorns in 2016

By Tyler Brett

Dec 5, 2015; Waco, TX, USA; The Texas Longhorns celebrate the win over the Baylor Bears at McLane Stadium. The Longhorns defeat the Bears 23-17. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 5, 2015; Waco, TX, USA; The Texas Longhorns celebrate the win over the Baylor Bears at McLane Stadium. The Longhorns defeat the Bears 23-17. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 5, 2015; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback Malik Zaire (8) leaps over Texas Longhorns defensive end Bryce Cottrell (91) in the third quarter at Notre Dame Stadium. Notre Dame won 38-3.
Sep 5, 2015; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback Malik Zaire (8) leaps over Texas Longhorns defensive end Bryce Cottrell (91) in the third quarter at Notre Dame Stadium. Notre Dame won 38-3. /

Last season, Texas went to South Bend and got hammered 38-3 by Notre Dame. It effectively killed any positive momentum the Horns had coming into the season and sent them spiraling to a 1-4 start.

This season, they have a chance to go the other direction. Notre Dame comes to Austin September 4 to kick off the season in a game that could do big things for whoever wins. The Irish will likely come in as a top-15 ranked team with College Football Playoff aspirations. This game is important as it is one of just three true road games they’ll put on their resume this season. Texas, meanwhile, is looking for a signature win to springboard their return to national prominence.

With a national stage on a massive opening weekend of college football, someone will make a serious statement about their team in this game. For Strong, this would be a signature win against a marquee non-conference opponent and could go a long way in relieving some of the pressure he’s under. For Texas, beating Notre Dame would show everyone exactly what this team is capable of in 2016.

However, the Longhorns come into this game with similar question marks as last season. Who will be the quarterback? How will the new offense look? Can a young defense come together and slow down the Irish attack? Last year, Texas didn’t answer any of those questions in a positive manner. Will things be different this time around?

Next: 1. Red River Rivalry

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