Assessing 3 biggest trap games for Texas football in 2022
Roughly one week ahead from the start of fall camp for the Texas football program, head coach Steve Sarkisian is gearing up his team to face a difficult start to the regular season in early-to-mid September. Texas’ schedule is no joke out of the gates this season, including non-conference battles with two likely preseason top 25 teams in the UTSA Roadrunners and defending National Champion runner-up Alabama Crimson Tide.
Sark and the Longhorns do have an opportunity, though, to make some headway in the Big 12 this fall. As Texas is the odds-on preseason favorite to win the Big 12 in 2022, it’s clear that expectations hold this team to a pretty high standard.
But Texas needs to put together a complete body of work during the regular season, especially in Big 12 play, in order to prove that this team is headed in the right direction under Sark and his staff. Texas’ disappointing result last season that saw them finish up with a record of 5-7 (3-6 Big 12) is clearly something that can’t be repeated again in 2022.
One aspect of the upcoming season that the Longhorns must avoid are any potential trap games. Texas had the tendency in past years to play up and down to the competition, which can be very dangerous in these types of games.
Biggest trap games to watch for Texas football in 2022
With that in mind, here’s a look at an assessment of the three biggest trap games on the regular season docket for the Longhorns in 2022.
Honorable mentions
Iowa State, Oct. 15 (Austin, TX)
Given the timing of this game for the Longhorns, it’s hard to truly classify the matchup at home against head coach Matt Campbell and the Iowa State Cyclones as a true trap game for Sark’s squad.
It’s clear that Iowa State is going to give the Longhorns a run for their money come mid-October. Iowa State has remained a real thorn in the side of the Longhorns at different points in the last few years. That was especially the case last fall when Iowa State handed Texas the biggest loss of the regular season, which came by a margin of 23 points.
Texas shouldn’t have a more manageable matchup against the Cyclones this season compared to last. But this game still comes before the road meeting with the Oklahoma State Cowboys. Texas will have a difficult road during this point of the Big 12 slate.
Louisiana-Monroe, Sep. 3 (Austin, TX)
Do I realistically think that Sark and the Longhorns are going to keep it very close with the Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks at home on Sep. 3 in the regular season opener?
No.
But it’s still worth mentioning that the season opener could be a bit of a trap game for the Longhorns, at least early on. Texas faces Alabama the following weekend, so it would be very easy to see the Longhorns getting caught looking ahead at least at the outset of this game.