Assessing 3 biggest trap games for Texas football in 2022

3. UTSA, Sep. 17 (Austin, TX)

Most would say that the defending Conference-USA Champion UTSA isn’t much of a pushover for the Longhorns.

And that will likely be the case when these two teams meet at Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on Sep. 17.

But most Texas fans are still going to head into this game thinking that the Longhorns should be able to come up with a big win before the start of Big 12 play, regardless of what happens the weekend prior against the Crimson Tide.

This game against UTSA still comes at an interesting time on the Longhorns’ schedule. Texas will be coming off that aforementioned matchup on Sep. 10 at home against Alabama. And the following weekend sees Sark and the Longhorns open up Big 12 play against the Texas Tech Red Raiders on the road.

Texas hosting a strong opponent in UTSA still presents a situation where this team can’t get caught napping. UTSA brings a very strong passing game to the table, with an uber underrated quarterback in senior Frank Harris and a trio of returning wideouts in Zakhari Franklin, Joshua Cephus, and De’Corian Clark, that combined for more than 2,500 receiving yards and 25 touchdowns last season.

If Texas can slow down that potent UTSA passing game and a ground game that seems to constantly replenish talent out of the backfield (despite losing Sincere McCormick this offseason), that should tamp down any upset hopes of the Roadrunners.

The key for the Longhorns to stave off any upset push from the Roadrunners will be stopping their offense. The defense experienced some real turnover, with their sack leader from last season and two of the three highest-graded defensive backs departing this offseason.

All in all, UTSA can be a dangerous opponent if the Longhorns don’t give them the respect they deserve in between matchups against Alabama and Texas Tech. But Texas giving UTSA the respect they deserve should make this a winnable game in a comfortable fashion.