4 bold predictions for Texas football vs. UL-Monroe

Now just a couple of days away from the first game of the regular season for head coach Steve Sarkisian and the Texas football program, we can feel the nerves and excitement for what lies ahead this fall. Texas has plenty of uncertainty heading into the season, but this is definitely going to be an entertaining campaign through and through.

There are a lot of young and unproven players projected to start for Sark and the Longhorns on the offensive side of the ball. And despite having more returning production than the offense this year, the defense still has plenty of questions to answer after some real lackluster showings in Big 12 play last season.

Moreover, Texas will open up the 2022 regular season at home this weekend against the Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks out of the Sun Belt. Texas is a heavy favorite heading into the opener against ULM, which is set to kick off under the lights at Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium at 7 p.m. CT on Sep. 3.

Tempered bold predictions for Texas football in the opener vs. ULM

Here’s a look at four bold predictions for the Longhorns in the regular season opener this weekend against ULM.

Tarique Milton ranks second in receiving yards, Jonathon Brooks second in rushing yards

We’re going to see a number of different personnel combinations for Texas at the skill positions this weekend. Sark made that clear in his Monday press conference this week that Texas is planning on getting two or three strings deep on the depth chart against ULM, especially if they jump out to an early first-half lead.

Two of the biggest benefactors from those added early reps could turn out to be sophomore running back Jonathon Brooks and senior grad transfer wide receiver Tarique Milton.

Starting off with Milton, the former Iowa State Cyclone could actually be amidst the starting trio of wide receivers in the opener this weekend. If Texas is trotting out 12 or 21 personnel looks to start the game, that would likely mean Milton is the starting slot receiver while redshirt junior Jordan Whittington is spun out to the outside to start on the boundary.

If Milton is getting the starting reps this weekend, there’s no doubt in my mind he could be on the field for 30 or 40 snaps at least. That would afford him plenty of opportunities and targets to make some contributions to this team right away.

Meanwhile, Brooks is a personal favorite of mine as I firmly believe he could be in line for a bigger workload to start the season than he will have a couple of months down the road. With senior running back Roschon Johnson coming off an ankle sprain he suffered earlier in fall camp and star junior Bijan Robinson likely to have a minimal workload this weekend, we could see more of Brooks than usual.

To sum this up, if Milton and Brooks are on the field for as many offensive snaps as I think they will be against ULM, they will have ample opportunities to rank among Texas’ leaders in receiving and rushing yards, respectively.