The Texas Longhorns have not won a conference title since 2009, but look to change all of that in 2020, starting with their season opener against UTEP.
It seems as if every Texas Longhorns’ football seasons begin with moderate to high expectations, depending on the person, that is usually followed by “Texas is back!” a month into the season and then is quickly forgotten once the Longhorns lose to Oklahoma and/or string off consecutive losses as they have in the past three seasons. As a fan, and as a doubter of the Longhorns, it is definitely a roller coaster ride of emotions week-in and week-out. And 2020 is going to be no different.
The Longhorns are led by quarterback Sam Ehlinger, who is the J. T. Barrett of the South, and fourth-year head coach, Tom Herman. Both looked to end Ehlingers’ career on the highest note as they try to get over the hump and win their first Big 12 conference title in over a decade. Herman has his best team since taking over in 2017, with seven starters on offense and nine starters on defense returning from last season.
The only issue for Texas is the rest of the conference. You have Oklahoma, which is all the explanation you need, and then you have Baylor, Iowa State and Oklahoma State that are entering 2020 with high expectations for themselves to be the team that dethrones the Oklahoma Sooners as the top team in the Big 12 Conference. So, if the Longhorns can survive the new and improved Big 12 conference, the phrase “Texas is back!” can proudly be worn by Longhorn Nation.
Their opponent, the Miners of UTEP, are entering the 2020 season with a combined record of 2-34 in the last three seasons, making them on of college football’s worst programs. And this season is probably not going to be any different. The Miners’ offense last year was the worst in the country and are without their leading rusher from 2019 in this game due to injury. And speaking of losing their players, their terrible defense from 2019 might be more atrocious this season with the top three leading tacklers from last year all gone as well. UTEP might be waving the white flag pretty early in this one.
How to watch and how to bet on the Texas game vs. UTEP
Date: Saturday, Sept. 12
Start Time: 8 p.m. ET
Location: Austin, Texas
Stadium: DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium
TV Info: LHN
Odds: Texas -43, O/U 58
Live Stream: WatchESPN
Prediction: Texas wins big. If they don’t win big, put Herman on the hot seat, and if somehow the Miners pull off the upset, fire Herman immediately. Seems harsh, but the Miners 2-34 record since 2017 speaks for itself for the state of that program. Ehlinger’s Heisman hopes get off to a nice start in this one as he picks up multiple scores with both his arm and his legs. Longhorns win, easily,
Score: Texas 59, UTEP 10.
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