The Texas Longhorns undeniably have a few massive fish to fry this season with the Ohio State Buckeyes, LSU Tigers, Texas A&M Aggies, and more powerhouse teams on their schedule.
However, both the Horns and their head coach, Steve Sarkisian, know that they can't get too far out over their skis. Especially not before the season even kicks off, at the very least.
Yes, Texas has to host Ohio State in Week 2, but that's exactly the thing... it will be in Week TWO, not Week 1, which is where we currently stand.
While all anyone seemingly wants to talk about is the matchup between the Longhorns and Buckeyes, which will undoubtedly be a box office hit, there is an opponent that Texas has to get through first: the Texas State Bobcats.
Texas is focused on Texas State in Week 1, not the Buckeyes
Now, before you write off this story before it even truly begins, no, I am not saying that the Bobcats and the Buckeyes hold the same level of talent or threat. But at the same time, the Horns can't take Texas State lightly.
Head coach Steve Sarkisian put it perfectly when he said, "I'll tell you what, I know everyone's wanting to talk about next week [Ohio State], but this team we're playing this week [Texas State], don't be surprised in end of November if they're not in the talk of making the College Football Playoff. I think Texas State's a really good team, so they got our attention."
In other words, there is no point in focusing on what's to come if you can't get through what's right in front of you.
Obviously, Ohio State poses a massive threat to a possibly undefeated Texas team by the time Week 2 rolls around, but the Bobcats are an extremely talented program that can't be ignored.
Between an up-tempo offense, led by a quarterback Brad Jackson and wideouts Beau Sparks and Chris Dawn Jr., and a desire to prove themselves at the "Power Conference" level, having just joined the rebuilt Pac-12 this offseason, Texas State is out for blood.
Sarkisian and defensive coordinator Will Muschamp must guarantee that the Longhorns' defensive line is shored up and the defensive backs are prepared to take on an offensive unit that might surprise a lot of people who haven't heard much about the Bobcats.
Not to mention the fact that Texas's offensive line could still have a few question marks around it entering Week 1.
Starting left tackle Trevor Goosby should be available, but Sarkisian might not want to test him on every snap of the game against Texas State, even though the Bobcats' defensive line doesn't pose as big of a risk as other opponents that the Horns will see this season.
Simply put, the Longhorns are focused on the task at hand, not the one that is still looming over the horizon.
Once Saturday comes and goes (and Texas hopefully picks up its first win of the season), Sarkisian will turn his attention to what's next: the Buckeyes.
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