2022 Texas football schedule and way-too-early predictions
The first year of Longhorn football under Steve Sarkisian was a mess. Will the 2022 Texas football schedule play out more positively?
Hopes were extremely high for Texas when they hired Steve Sarkisian from Alabama.
The problem? The Longhorns got more Washington Sark than Alabama Sark. They started 4-1 before things utterly fell apart and they lost six games in a row, beginning with a collapse against rival Oklahoma.
After finishing 5-7 and missing a bowl game, Sarkisian, his staff and his team have a lot of work to do for 2022.
On the surface, there is reason to hope.
2022 Texas football schedule and early predictions
Sept. 3 — vs. ULM — WIN
Sept. 10 — vs. Alabama — LOSS
Sept. 17 — vs. UTSA — WIN
TBD — at Kansas — WIN
TBD — at Kansas State — WIN
TBD — vs. Oklahoma — LOSS
TBD — at Oklahoma State — WIN
TBD — vs. Baylor — LOSS
TBD — vs. Iowa State — LOSS
TBD — vs. TCU — WIN
TBD — vs. West Virginia — WIN
TBD — at Texas Tech — WIN
Texas final record prediction: 8-4
The out-of-conference slate for Texas should set them up to start 2-1. UTSA is no pushover, but that game being at DKR helps. There will be no helping the Alabama matchup. A win in that game would be truly surprising.
The Big 12 schedule is relatively favorable in terms of road-home splits. Getting Baylor and Iowa State at home is a plus. However, it all depends on Dave Aranda and Matt Campbell, who give their teams the edge. For now, Aranda looks poised to sign an extension to stay at Baylor and Campbell may rebuff interest from Washington, among others to stay at Iowa State. Should either of those coaches leave, those results should be flipped.
TCU and Texas Tech will be breaking in new coaching staffs so the timing of those games could be key. Still, the Longhorns should expect to win those games along with the West Virginia matchup.
In short, Sarkisian should be able to put more of a stamp on the team coming into 2022. Don’t expect him to suddenly turn Texas into the juggernaut it aspires to be. Gradual improvement is the name of the game, so improving from 5-7 to 8-4 with a chance for a ninth win in a decent bowl game would be a positive sign for the future of Texas football under Sarkisian.
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