Texas Longhorns 27, UTEP Miners 10
The Texas defense shut down the Miners, allowing just 50 yards rushing on 23 attempts, keying the Longhorns victory. In three games, the Longhorn D has allowed just 212 yards rushing, which surprisingly is only 18th in the country. The Longhorns rushing attack carried the offense with 227 yards rushing as Arch Manning continues to find his passing groove.
Photo – Aaron E. Martinez /Austin American-Statesman
Monday Morning Highlights
https://x.com/TexasFootball/status/1967572395591426377
Texas fans – real Longhorns – don’t boo the Texas Longhorns. No exceptions. I have no brighter line – no more black and white, no gray area fundamental tenet – than that. Sark and Arch and the Horns don’t deserve a single boo. We are fans. Fans, in college ball anyway, are there to support their team. That is the fundamental, single most important role we have as Texas fans – support and cheer for the Longhorns. I was appalled. I know what Steve Sarkisian said, and that was the right thing for him to say. He never should have had to say it. I don’t care about NIL and scholarships and all the other stuff. This is our team, our Longhorns. Do not boo. If you want to boo, go to Twin Peaks and watch on their big screen and have a $2 well drink. We don’t need you at Darrell K Royal – Texas Memorial Stadium. Give your tickets to real fans.
Listen to Coach Mack Brown: Now’s the time to lift Arch up.
Sam Houston State Bearkats vs. No. 8 Texas Longhorns
A night game! Finally. This Saturday, the Longhorns welcome the Sam Houston State Bearkats to Austin for a 7:00 p.m. kickoff at Darrell K Royal – Texas Memorial Stadium. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+/SEC Network+. No free Texas football. Clay Matvick, a St. Cloud State University Husky, has the play-by-play. Chase Daniel, Texas state champion quarterback under Todd Dodge at Southlake Carroll and former Missouri Tiger, has analysis. On the sidelines will be Florida Gator Tori Petry. The game can be heard around the world on the Longhorn Radio Network with the Voice of the Longhorns Craig Way, joined by Roger Wallace in the booth and by Will Matthews on the sidelines. Listen in Austin on the Flagship, KVET 1300 AM and 98.1 FM, in Corpus Christi on KEYS 1440 AM, and in Henderson on KWRD 1470 AM. In San Angelo and the Concho Valley, listen with Mr. McLaughlin on KKSA 1260 AM. SiriusXM Channel 82. Dr. Rubén Pizarro-Silva and Jesus Mendoza with the call in Spanish on certain Longhorn Radio Network affiliates and streaming on the Texas Longhorn App and online.
Texas is favored by 39.5, and the over/under is 51.5.
Third Weekend of College Football
The big name big games lived up to the hype last weekend. Georgia and Tennessee went to overtime with the Dawgs getting the 44-41 win. The Bulldogs and Volunteers combined for 998 yards of offense. Texas Agricultural & Mechanical got a huge road win at No. 8 Notre Dame, 41-40, in a tough loss for the Irish. Bad non-calls are bad luck.
College Football This Weekend
This is the last weekend with mostly non-conference matchups before conference play gets in full swing, but some good games. No. 22 Auburn at No. 11 Oklahoma is a great SEC game (both undefeated, 2:30 on ABC). Florida at No. 4 Miami (6:30 on ABC) will either be a really good game or another log on the fire heating the seat for Billy Napier.
Sam Houston State Bearkats – A Bit of History
Sam Houston State has been playing football since 1912, but just moved up to FBS when they joined Conference USA in 2023. The SHSU home field is Bowers Stadium in Huntsville, about a mile south of the Walls, and seats about 14,000.
Before the move to FBS, the Bearkats competed successfully in several leagues, amassing 15 conference championships and two national championships. The Texas Intercollegiate Conference (predecessor to the Southwest Conference), the Lone Star Conference (Division II, and included East Texas State, North Texas State, Sam, Southwest Texas State, and Stephen F. Austin), the Gulf Star Conference, and the Southland Conference (7 titles; Division I FCS schools including UIW, Lamar, McNeese, the Island Aggies, the East Texas Aggies of Commerce, and now the UTRGV Vaqueros).
SHSU had great recent success in FCS (playoffs 9 times since 2011), winning the national championship in 2020 (23-21 over South Dakota State).
In 2023, their first year in FBS, Sam went 3-9. The Bearkats quickly turned it around in 2024, going 10-3 (6-2 in C-USA), with a 31-26 win over Georgia Southern in the New Orleans Bowl.
2025 Sam Houston State Bearkats
This year, the Bearkats are 0-3. 41-24 lost at Western Kentucky, 38-21 loss to UNLV at game played in Houston, and 37-20 loss to Hawaii in Honolulu.
Hunter Watson (No. 10, 6-3, 210 lbs, Senior, Celina) started at quarterback in the season opener against Western Kentucky (the Hilltoppers quarterback is Maverick McIvor, son of our Rick). Watson was 19/30 for 209 and a pick, rushed 14 times for 91 yards (long of 55; led the Bearkats) and a score. He played in the UNLV loss (11/22, 101; ran for a score), but the Bearkats also played Mabrey Mettauer (No. 3, 6-5, 225 lbs, RF from The Woodlands). Mettauer was 8/13, 86 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT. In Hawaii, Mettauer was 12/18 for 91 yards with a pick, rushed for 45 (led SHSU). Landyn Locke (No. 8, 6-4, 205 lbs freshman from Rockwall) has played some QB and was 6/10 for 68 yards and 1 TD.
Each SHSU game has had a different leading running back. Against WKU, Alton McCaskill (No. 22, 6-2 210 lbs senior from Conroe and on his fourth college, after stops in Arizona State, Colorado, and Houston) rushed 11 times for 75 yards (long of 52) and a score. Against UNLV, Landan “Coco” Brown (No. 34, 5-11, 215 lbs sophomore from Denton) had 10 carries for 85 yards (long of 53) and a score. Elijah Green (No. 21, 5-11, 210 lbs Senior) had 8 carries for 37 yards. In Hawaii, Elijah Green had 10 carries for 30 yards.
[As an aside, note the long runs. Texas longest rush from scrimmage is Arch’s 20 yard TD scamper. CJ Baxter had an 18 yard run. Jerrick Gibson had a 14 yard run. An issue.]
Elijah Green is the Bearkats’ leading receiver, with 11 receptions for 124 yards and 1 TD (long of 35). WR Grady O’Neill (No. 6, 5-10, 170 lbs Junior) is second with 6 catches for 65 yards, and WR Malik Phillips (No. 11, 5-9, 170 lbs Sr) has 6 catches for 60 yards.
A couple of defensive backs lead Sam in tackles. CJ Brown (No. 24, 5-10, 190 lbs Senior DB) has 21 tackles (9 solo) and a forced fumble. Emon Allen (No. 7, 5-9, 185 lbs senior from Vista Ridge in Cedar Park) has 18 tackles (13 solo) and 2 interceptions, including a 66 yard pick 6. Linebacker Antavious Fish (No. 6, 6 foot, 250 lbs Grad LB) has 17 tackles (11 solo), and linebacker CJ Johnson (No. 8, 6 foot 230 lbs Senior from Little Elm) has 17 tackles (6 solo). Jamair Diaz and a fumble return of 43 yards for a touchdown.
The SHSU kicker RJ Lopez is 3 for 5. Punter Curtis Gerrand averages 43.4 yards, with 4 of 14 punts inside the 20.
The Bearkats head coach is Phil Longo, played at East Stroudsberg U and Rowan University. He coached high school football in his native New Jersey, had a few stints in D-3 and D-2 schools. He was OC at Southern Illinois, where the Salukis made it to the FCS quarterfinals one year. Longo was at the cradle of coaches, Youngstown State, for a few years before going to – Slippery Rock! Then he was offensive coordinator at Sam Houston for a few years before getting called to Oxford. Two years at Ole Miss as OC (very successful) then he spent four seasons with Mack Brown at North Carolina as the Heels OC. His last stop before Huntsville was 2 years at Wisconsin, where he also installed an Air Raid offense. Bottom line – very good offensive coach.
Sam Houston State Bearkats vs. No. 8 Texas Longhorns
Texas and Sam Houston State meet for just the second time, and the first with the Bearkats as an FBS school. Texas beat Sam 56-3 in 2006. By every metric, Texas should win handily. The win is not in doubt, but how we get there may be interesting. My thoughts below, but first, the data.
Offense
Statistic |
Texas |
Sam Houston State |
| Rushing Offense | #51 – 182.3 ypg | #98 – 132.3 ypg |
| Passing Offense | #88 – 200.3 ypg | #102 – 185.0 ypg |
| Total Offense | #77 – 382.6 ypg | #114 – 317.3 ypg |
| Scoring Offense* | #92 – 24.0 ppg | #100 – 21.7 ppg |
| First Downs | #98 – 19.0/game | #105 – 17.7/game |
| Sacks Allowed | #15 – 2, 8 yards | #130 – 10, 53 yards |
| Tackles for Loss Allowed | #24 – 10, 29 yards | #124 – 23, 84 yards |
| Third Down Conversions | #126 – 28.57% | #136 – 13.51% |
| Fourth Down Conversions | #103 – 41.7% (5/12) | #120 – 30% (3/10) |
| Red Zone Attempts | #44 – 13 | #101 – 8 |
| Red Zone Offense** | #130 – 62% / 46% | #134 – 50% / 25% |
| Long Run Plays | #55 – 15/10, 1/20, -0- | #120 – 8/10, 3/20, 3/30, 3/40 |
| Long Pass Plays | #95 – 20/10, 10/20, 6/30, 2/40 | #95 – 20/10, 6/20, 3/30, 1/40 |
*Texas is tied with Arkansas State and Tulsa
**Arkansas is 100/100 – 13 redzones, 13 touchdowns. 27 teams have scored in 100% of their RZ attempts – 19.8% of all FBS schools.
Defense
Statistic |
Texas |
Sam Houston State |
| Rushing Defense | #12 – 70.7 ypg | #66 – 127.7 ypg |
| Passing Defense | #36 – 173.0 ypg | #133 – 314.7 ypg |
| Total Defense | #20 – 243.7 ypg | #125 – 442.4 ypg |
| Scoring Defense | #18 – 10.3 ppg | #130 – 38.7 ppg |
| First Downs Allowed | #15 – 13.3/game | #121 – 23.3/game |
| Sacks | #65 – 6, 29 yards | #65 – 6, 34 yards |
| Tackles for Loss | #106 – 12, 41 yards | #82 – 15, 51 yards |
| Third Down Conversions | #23 – 26.8% | #123 – 48.9% |
| Fourth Down Conversions | #103 – 41.7% | #120 – 30% |
| Red Zone Attempts | #9 – 4 | #105 – 12 |
| Red Zone Defense | #37 – 75% / 75% | #102 – 100% / 75% |
| Long Run Plays Allowed | #3 – 3/10, 1/20, 1/30 -0- | #75 – 13/10, 1/20, -0- |
| Long Pass Plays Allowed | #37 – 18/10, 5/20, 3/30, 2/40 | #128 – 34/10, 13/20, 7/30, 5/40 |
Other
Statistic |
Texas |
Sam Houston State |
Turnovers |
#78 – 4 (1F, 3I) | #53 – 3 (0F, 3I) |
| Turnover Margin | #32 – 6:4 +0.67 | #32 – 5:3 +0.67 |
| Penalties | #120 – 25, 243 yards | #95 – 21, 194 yards |
*Based on total number of penalties.
Match-up Comparison
Texas Offense |
Bearkats Defense |
| Rushing Offense – 182.3 ypg | 127.7 ypg – Rushing Defense |
| Passing Offense – 200.3 ypg | 314.7 ypg – Passing Defense |
| Total Offense – 382.6 ypg | 442.4 ypg – Total Defense |
| Scoring Offense – 24.0 ppg | 38.7 ppg – Scoring Defense |
| First Downs – 19.0/game | 23.3/game – First Downs Allowed |
| 3rd Down Offense – 28.57% | 48.9% – 3rd Down Defense |
| 4th Down Offense – 41.7% | 30% – 4th Down Defense |
| Red Zone Offense – 62%/46% | 100%/75% – Red Zone Defense |
| LRP – 15/10, 1/20, -0- | 13/10, 1/20, -0- – LRP Allowed |
| LPP – 20/10, 10/20, 6/30, 2/40 | 34/10, 13/20, 7/30, 5/40 – LPP Allowed |
Texas Defense |
Bearkats Offense |
| Rushing Defense – 70.7 ypg | 132.3 ypg – Rushing Offense |
| Passing Defense – 173.0 ypg | 185.0 ypg – Passing Offense |
| Total Defense – 243.7 ypg | 317.3 ypg – Total Offense |
| Scoring Defense – 10.3 ppg | 21.7 ppg – Scoring Offense |
| First Downs Allowed – 13.3/game | 17.7/game – First Downs |
| 3rd Down Defense – 26.8% | 13.51% – 3rd Down Offense |
| 4th Down Defense – 41.7% | 30% – 4th Down Offense |
| Red Zone Defense – 75%/75% | 50%/25% – Red Zone Offense |
| LRP Allowed – 3/10, 1/20, 1/20 -0- | 8/10, 3/20, 3/30, 3/40 – LRP |
| LPP Allowed – 18/10, 5/20, 3/30, 2/40 | 20/10, 6/20, 3/30, 1/40 – LPP |
If you want a quick look at the Texas individual stats. Pretty interesting that Arch leads the team in rushing with 112, although Baxter (110) and Gibson (102) are right there with him. I just expected more by now from the running back corps.
Texas Longhorns 2025 College Football Players Stats – ESPN
The official Game Notes from The University:
Week 4 Sam Houston – University of Texas Athletics
ESPN:
As a reminder, advanced analytics are presented for informational purposes only. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results. Wager wisely.
BCF Toys
| FEI | OFEI | DFEI | SFEI – Adj | |
| Texas | No. 7: 0.91 | No. 31: 0.25 | No. 2: 0.69 | No. 17: 0.07 |
| SHSU | No. 121: -0.80 | No. 132: -0.57 | No. 95: -0.57 | No. 119: -0.07 |
Offense dropped from No. 19 to No. 31.
| NAY | OAY | DAY | |
| Texas | No. 30: 0.166 | No. 76: 0.454 | No. 10: 0.288 |
| SHSU | No. 115: -.210 | No. 111: 0.346 | No. 102: 0.557 |
| NPD | OPD | DPD | |
| Texas | No. 30: 1.45 | No. 69: 2.18 | No. 7: 0.73 |
| SHSU | No. 112: -1.75 | No. 102: 1.34 | No. 109: 3.09 |
| NPP | OPP | DPP | |
| Texas | No. 52: 0.64 | No. 95: 4.92 | No. 17: 4.28 |
| SHSU | No. 101: -1.29 | No. 94: 4.95 | No. 96: 6.25 |
| PVE | OVE | DVE | SVE | |
| Texas | No. 33: 0.73 | No. 85: -0.30 | No. 7: 0.88 | No. 17: 0.14 |
| SHSU | No. 111: -0.84 | No. 106: -0.52 | No. 105: -0.21 | No. 98: -0.06 |
In BCF’s F+ ratings (Brian Fremeau’s FEI ratings combined with Bill Connelly’s SP+ ratings), Texas is No. 9 (down 2 spots from 7). Offensively, Texas is No. 43 (down from 28); defensively, Texas is No. 2 (same). Our Special Teams are No. 95. Sam Houston State: No. 124, #131 offense, #110 defense, & #126 special teams. Pretty similar to UTEP.
| Projected Winner | Projected Loser | PW | PM | PF | PA | PT |
| Texas | SHSU | .990 | 37.9 | 40.3 | 2.5 | 45.8 |
A noticeable drop in the point margin from last week – 45.6 to 37.9. Points for Texas down from 45.2 to 40.3.
PFF
Texas overall ranking is 91.4, placing it at No. 38. The first number below is our national ranking in that category, the next the PFF rating.
| Offense | Passing | Pass Blocking | Receiving | Run | Run Blocking |
| #79 – 69.8 | #67 – 70.5 | #62 – 69.9 | #89 – 64.1 | #70 – 76.3 | #70- 60.8 |
| Defense | Run D | Tackling | Pressure | Coverage |
| #4 – 91.6 | #9 – 92.1 | #26 – 78.1 | #6 – 88.6 | #19 – 88.1 |
Texas Special Teams: No. 89 – 67.2 rating.
A top 10 defense. If the offense can get it in gear, and the defense stays this good, Texas will be fine.
TCT Thoughts
Texas can and should cruise to a win Saturday night. Winning is important, but what is really important is for Sark and Arch and the Texas offense to get stabilized and clicking. Next, based on Coach Sarkisian said this week in news conferences, will be looking at young players, seeing who is the next man up at different positions. That’s on both sides of the ball.
Let’s start with Arch Manning. My retrospective thoughts are below in the UTEP recap. I am forward-focused on this game and the importance of progress. Progress, not perfection. Coach Sark said Arch is playing much better in practice, playing as expected. He just needs to carry that into the game.
This is the game where a very weak opponent, especially on defense, gives Sark and Milwee and the Texas offense to flip the right switches at the right times to get Manning and his receivers in synch and producing. The No. 133 pass defense (out of 136 teams), bad in almost every basic defensive statistical category. Sure, get some of the young guys in and see how they play, but put Arch Manning plays to succeed and get over this hump.
On the other side of the ball, the Bearkats offense is almost as statistically bad, and that is against a Texas defense that is vastly better than squad Sam has faced this year. PK and the defense need to have a shutout as their goal and about a +4 in the takeaway game. SHSU’s OFEI rank is No. 132, and Texas’ DFEI rank is No. 2. That should equate to an even more dominating game than last week against UTEP.
Texas still has a penalty problem. 7 for 78 yards against the Miners. Texas is No. 128 in penalty yards per game, No. 129 in total penalty yards, and No. 120 in total penalties. That is a recipe for being the turning point in a game or two if Texas gets in a close one. This is the second most important item on the Texas agenda for Saturday after the Texas passing game.
TCT Score: Longhorns 45, Bearkats 3
Texas Longhorns 27, UTEP Miners 10
Photo – Texas Athletics
It wasn’t the game I was expecting and hoping for.
Texas got the ball to start the game and once again didn’t score. The Longhorns opening possession futility continues. Hard to understand – and it is not an Arch Manning issue. This has been going on for a long time. But the important takeaway from this first possession is that like so many Texas series, it ended in a turnover on downs. At the UTEP 44. A great chance to pin them deep, play defense, and get the ball back with good field position. I love Steve Sarkisian and am 100% in and 100% in support, but the old man who has watched Texas football for over 50 years is an old fuddy-duddy when it comes to field position. Texas Turnover 1.
To prove me wrong, the Texas defense forced a turnover on downs (UTEP had second and 1 at the Texas 47 and rushed for 0, 0, and 0 yards). So, the Horns got the ball back at midfield.
A touchdown drive that started with a 22 yard pass to Livingstone but included 2 no gain runs by Jerrick Gibson. This time on fourth and 1, from the UTEP 22, Texas converted with a solid Gibson run. First and 10 at the UTEP 15. 2 runs later, first and goal from the 1. It took a minute, but Arch ran it in for a 2 yard touchdown.
Texas defense held, and on the next possession, after getting in the redzone, Arch was picked off on a fourth and 2 play from the 10. No points. Texas Turnover 2.
The next few series: UTEP Punt; Texas turnover on downs (#3) at the UTEP 34; UTEP interception (Jelani McDonald) after UTEP’s Malachi Nelson had a big 33 yard completion: Texas punt (3 incompletions- the start of a bad stretch); UTEP Punt; then Texas punt.
UTEP got a field goal with 2 minutes to play, 7-3 Texas.
The last 2 minutes of the first half were interesting, and I will give Sark some credit for how this played out. Texas got the ball on the kickoff and didn’t do anything, but also only used 21 seconds. UTEP got the ball with 1:11 to play, and a good time out by Sark resulted in Texas getting the ball back, at the UTEP 40 (thanks in part to UTEP personal foul on the punt return) with 53 seconds. Arch scampered for 10 yards, Jerrick had an 8 and 7 yard run, and Texas had first and 10 at the UTEP 16 with 13 seconds. Manning to Washington for 11 yards, and after a timeout, Arch ran it in from the 5 yard line to give Texas a 14-3 lead at halftime.
A weird third quarter: UTEP punt, Texas field goal, UTEP intercepted (Graceson Littleton!) but an unsportsmanlike penalty on the Longhorns gave Texas the ball on the UTEP 49 instead of the 34. Probably a 4 point swing. Shipley made the 30-yard field goal. 20-3 Texas.
UTEP had the ball and was moving it as the fourth quarter began but couldn’t convert a fourth and 3 at their own 47.
Texas moved the ball with James Simon and Arch running. Texas finished with, finally, a touchdown pass from Arch Manning to Ryan Wingo. Just 4 yards, but it felt big, even in this game. 27-3 Horns.
Nelson and the Miners moved the ball on the next UTEP possession, but it petered out on fourth and 6 at the Texas 24. Arch looked sharper, completing another pass to Ryan Wingo for 13 yards to convert a third and 5. But the Horns stalled after that and punted.
The last UTEP possession got the Miners a touchdown on an 87 yard drive. 15 of those yards was a face mask on the Horns and 43 yards on a big pass play. 27-10 final.
Vegas and the sabermaticians and the pundits and I were all wrong, most of us by at least 3 touchdowns. Arch didn’t have a good day passing, but his 51 yards and 2 touchdowns on the ground were solid. He accounted for all three Texas scores. We rushed for 226 yards without out top 2 backs (CJ had 1 run for 6 yards before leaving the game; Quintrevion Wisner was on the sidelines in his civvies.) Simon (67 yards) and Gibson (64 yards) played well against a Miner defense which was, coming into the game, better than average against the rush.
Defense played pretty darn good. Only 50 yards rushing, and 30 of those yards came on one Hahsaun Wilson run in the second quarter. Nelson managed 209 yards passing, but he was intercepted twice and didn’t get in the endzone. One mild concern: UTEP completed passes of 43, 33, and 23 yards.
The last issue is what was wrong with Arch Manning. I have spent a ton of time thinking about it. I listened to Arch. “I gotta play better.” It is more mental. I read a bunch. Good piece by RT Young on Inside Texas: Arch Manning struggles and feels the weight of the Longhorns’ crown
My conclusion, not too terribly different from many others:
Arch doesn’t have the yips. He hasn’t lost his touch. He is a very talented athlete and skilled quarterback. He’s like the good basketball player who is hitting from 3, making jumpers from the elbow, but can’t make free throws. Mental, and repetitive motion.
Watching the Nonstop Arch Analysis Show on social media, message boards, and other media, I came to realize that there is probably no one commenting on this topic, and I’m quite certain no one who reads this missive, who can really fully understand the pressure and weight which we all, me included, placed on Arch Manning’s shoulders. When you think about all the factors that culminated on August 30 in Columbus: third generation of one of the most famous football families in American history, and certainly the most famous and revered quarterback family; NIL deal after NIL deal, of which, of course Arch has benefited, but nonetheless add more pressure; preseason Heisman favorite; number 1 national ranking in both polls; and more pedestal placement and lofty expectations from across the media platforms. There have certainly been other young, starting quarterbacks who have faced similar pressures and expectations, but as I thought about it the past week, I can’t think of any that faced this particular set of circumstances, and perhaps began a season with this much weight on his shoulder. We all share in placing the weights, now we all share in helping Manning and the Horns get back on track. A good time for one of my favorite songs.
The Weight – Playing for Change.
I believe in Archibald Charles Manning. This is a temporary issue, and the mighty reckoning of which Chris Del Conte loves to speak has his back. It will be remedied.
One thing I did see a lot of was comparisons to young quarterbacks of the past. I thought this one from Orangebloods was one of the best:
Arch Manning’s Tough Start to the Season Looks Very Similar to the Start of Joe Burrow’s 2018 Season
Burrow Went on to Win the Fiesta Bowl and then the National Championship the Following Season
Highlights
From ESPN College Football – 11 + minutes.
Hall of Honor
Some great Longhorns in this year’s Hall of Honor class.
The great Bobby Mitchell, who came to Texas from Colorado with Freddie Steinmark after winning a state championship. A stalwart guard in Darrell K Royal’s Wishbone offense.
Texas Baseball great Kyle Russell, Longhorn career home run leader (I probably saw and scored every one that he hit at Disch-Falk).
Rodrique Wright, who deserved the Hall just for one of the best plays in Red River Shootout History, with a Big Man scoop and score – 67 yards of rumbling after Bomar went down. https://youtu.be/RBSdy4hs8mw?si=_9kSADh6Wt2TQS2m
Royal T. Ivey, one of my all-time favorite Texas basketball players.
Sam Houston State University
Founded in 1879 as Sam Houston Normal Institution, Sam was the first teachers’ school in the southwest. The Huntsville campus was originally home to Austin College (the Roos are in Sherman now, as was predestined). The name was changed to Stam Houston State Teachers College in 1923, to Sam Houston State College in 1965, and to Sam Houston State University in 1969. SHSU is part of the Texas State University System, under the able leadership of Chancellor Brian McCall.
The school is well known for its College of Criminal Justice, with several nationally ranked programs. SHSU is also the only college in Texas which offers a Professional Golf Management program (no correlation).
Famous alumni include Dan Rather, Marcus Luttrell, Charlie Wilson, Richard Linklater, Hayden Wesneski, and Cody Johnson. Not bad.
Week Four in the Southeastern Conference
Arkansas (2-2) at Memphis (3-0), 11:00 a.m. on ABC from Liberty Stadium. I was surprised to learn this is only the 6th meeting of the Tigers and Razorbacks. Memphis leads 3-2. Pigs favored by just 7.5, over/under is 61.5. Go Tigers.
UAB (2-1) at No. 15 Tennessee (2-1), 11:45 a.m. on the SEC Network from Neyland Stadium. Vols will be singing Rocky Top a lot. Tennessee favored by 38.5. over/under is 69.5
No. 22 Auburn (3-0) at No. 13 Oklahoma (3-0), 2:30 p.m. on ABC. The best SEC game of the day by far. We will have this on at Juan Heisman. Land Thieves favored by 7.5, over/under is 47.5.
BCF’s Game Projection.
| Projected Winner | Projected Loser | PW | PM | PF | PA | PT |
| Land Thieves | Auburn Tigers | .668 | 6.3 | 27.5 | 21.2 | 48.7 |
Tulane (3-0), at No. 13 Ole Miss (3-0) 2:30 p.m. on ESPN from Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in Oxford. First contested in 1893, this is the Rebels’ oldest rivalry. The 75th meeting of the schools in a series that Ole Miss leads 44-28 [this varies with some vacated Ole Miss wins]. Tulane and Ole Miss have been in three different conferences together – the old SIAA from 1899 to 1920, the Southern Conference from 1922 to 1932 (not charter members like Washington & Lee and Virginia), and the SEC (Tulane left in 1966). Ole Miss favored by 13.5, over/under is 61.5. Hotty Toddy!
Northern Illinois (1-1) at Mississippi State (3-0), 3:15 p.m. on the SEC Network, from Davis-Wade Stadium in Starkville. Bulldogs favored by 21.5, over/under is 48.5.
South Carolina (2-1, 0-1) at No. 23 Missouri (3-0), 6:00 p.m. on ESPN. Gamecocks coming off a beating by the Dores. Tigers are hot. Mizzou favored by 9.5 (dropped from 13.5 earlier in the week), over/under is 48.5.
Georgia State (1-2) at No. 20 Vanderbilt (3-0), 6:30 p.m. on ESPNU from FirstBank Stadium in Nashville. Pavia should have a field day against Georgia State: No. 109 pass defense, No. 126 rush defense, and No. 129 total defense in FBS. And for good measure, No. 133 scoring defense. Commodores favored by 28.5, over/under is 53.5. Vandy to win and cover. Anchor Down.
Florida (1-2) at No. 4 Miami (3-0), 6:30 p.m. from Hard Rock Stadium. Gators having a challenging year. This should have been a marquee game, but Napier and his men are going to have to be a whole lot better just to avoid a blow-out. And y’all know I don’t say that lightly. Hurricanes favored by 9.5, over/under is 51.5. Go Gators!
Southeast Louisiana (2-1) at No. 3 Louisiana State (2-0), 6:30 p.m. on ABC from Death Valley in Baton Rouge. No line.
Week Four: Service Academies
North Texas (3-0) at Army (1-1), 11:00 a.m. on CBSSN from Michie Stadium in West Point. A big challenge for the Black Knights, as the Mean Green are coming in hot after hanging 59 points on Washington State. UNT Coach Eric Morris is getting some national press as college football’s “quarterback whisperer” (if you have a subscription to The WSJ). North Texas favored by just 1.5, over/under is 51.5. Very interesting line.
Boise State (1-1, 0-0) at Air Force (1-1, 0-1), 6:00 p.m. on CBSSN from Falcon Stadium. Broncos favored by 11.5, over/under is 51.5.
Navy has shore leave.
Top 25 – Week Four
No. 17 Texas Tech (3-0) at No. 16 Utah (3-0), 11:00 a.m. on FOX from Rice-Eccles Stadium in SLC. This should be a good game, but that’s a bit of guess as neither team has played a decent opponent yet. But the best early game for sure. Utes favored by 3.5, over/under is 56.5. BCF’s Game Projection.
| Projected Winner | Projected Loser | PW | PM | PF | PA | PT |
| Utah | Sand Aggies | .551 | 1.8 | 23.4 | 21.6 | 45.1 |
Oregon State (0-3) at No. 6 Oregon Ducks (3-0), 2:00 p.m. On BTN The Civil War! 128 games. First played in 1894. They play for the Platypus Trophy. Ducks favored by 34.5, over/under is 56.5.
Kent State (1-2) at No. 7 Florida State (2-0), 2:30 p.m. on the ACC Network, from Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee. Seminoles will roll. Florida State favored by 44.5, over/under at 55.5. Sand Aggies beat the Golden Flashes by 48, so not a crazy line.
No. 21 Michigan (2-1) at Nebraska (3-0), 2:30 p.m. on CBS from Memorial Stadium in Lincoln. A great game between two of college football’s bluebloods! 17 national championships. 1,941 combined wins. 6 Heisman Trophy winners. Incredibly, on the 14th time these two great schools have played a football game. Wolverines lead the series 8-4-1. First game in 1905 (31-0) Michigan, fourth game in 1962 (25-13 Nebraska). Michigan won the 1986 Fiesta Bowl 27-23, a game coached by Bo Schembechler for the Big Blue and Tom Osborne for the Big Red. Michigan has won the last 4.
Should be an excellent football game. We will be tuned in at the Juan Heisman Tailgate.
BCF’s Game Projection.
| Projected Winner | Projected Loser | PW | PM | PF | PA | PT |
| Michigan | Nebraska | .560 | 2.1 | 25.6 | 23.5 | 49.4 |
Michigan favored by 1.5, over/ under is 47.5.
Purdue (2-1) at No. 24 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (0-2), 2:30 p.m. on the National Broadcasting Company and the streaming Peacock, under the gaze of Touchdown Jesus. Pretty much a must win for the Irish – not just for playoff hopes, but for the season. Lucky for Notre Dame, the Boilermakers suck. Irish favored by 25.5, over/under is 54.5.
Temple (2-1) at No. 18 Georgia Tech (3-0), 3:30 p.m. on The CW from Bobby Dodd Stadium in Atlanta. The Ramblin’ Wreck is on a roll. Longview Lobo Haynes King was the Manning Award Quarterback of the Week. I was looking at the Yellow Jacket stats, and third string quarterback Graham Knowles has 1135.6 quarterback rating – 1 for 1 – an 84 yard touchdown. Statistics can be misleading. Georgia Tech favored by 23.5, over/under is 53.5. Yellow Jackets to in, Owls to cover.
No. 9 Illinois at No. 19 Indiana, both 3-0. 6:30 p.m. on NBC from Memorial Stadium in Bloomington. A Top 20 matchup, and there are FCS games this weekend that interest me more. Fighting Illini favored by 6.5, over/under is 52.5.
Michigan State (3-0) at No. 25 Southern Cal (3-0), 10:00 p.m. on FOX from the Coliseum. If the traffic clears early as I expect, I will be at 1902 with a very good margarita to watch the second half. It’s a Big Ten game, but a ten o’clock Central start is like the good old days of PAC 12 After Dark. Trojans favored by 18.5, over/under is 56.5. Southern Cal to win and cover. Take the under. Have fun Art! 
Other Games of Interest – Week Four
Thursday night, Rice opened American Conference play at Charlotte, and Owls with a big 28-17 win, covering the 2.5 point line.
Friday
Tulsa (1-2) at Oklahoma State (1-1), 6:30 p.m. on ESPN from Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater. This became of interest as the Mike Gundy Watch takes center stage. I wish Mike no ill-will. Mike, in his 21st season as the top hand for the Pokes, is the second longest tenured coach in the FBS, behind Kirk Ferentz at Iowa (27th season) and tied with Kyle Whittingham at Utah. I suspect the days of coaches having 20 year careers at a single school are numbered. Cowboys favored by 10.5, over/under is 55.5. Okie A&M to win, Tulsa to cover.
Saturday
Syracuse (2-1) at Clemson (1-2), 11:00 a.m. Speaking of watches and long tenures. Dabo is in his 18th season with the Tigers. Query whether his next season will be northwest South Carolina or in Tuscaloosa. Clemson favored by 16.5, over/under is 55.5. Tigers to win and cover, as Klubnik gets it together.
Southern Methodist Mustangs (2-1) vs. Texas Christian Horned Frogs (2-1). 11:00 a.m. on ESPN2 from Amon G. Carter Stadium. The Battle for the Iron Skillet. Wednesday night I was at our annual RECA past chairs’ dinner, and we started talking about football and got to TCU. I was trying to explain how cool it is that I am watching “little” Ed Small play football for the Frogs. Somehow, when I say that I practiced law with Clint Small and his son Ed Small and am friends with Ed Small’s son Clint Small and know Ed Small, people get confused. Anyway, the 104th meeting between the Methodists and the Disciples of Christ. Texas Christian leads 53-43-7. Lots of family and friends on both sides of this one. But with Ed Small, Big 12 Freshman of the Week, playing in the Fort for the horny toads, I am a TCU fan this weekend. Biff bam rah go Sammy Baugh or whatever. Frogs favored by 6.5, over/under is 63.5.
BCF’s Game Projection.
| Projected Winner | Projected Loser | PW | PM | PF | PA | PT |
| Texas Christian | Southern Methodist | .700 | 7.7 | 30.8 | 23.1 | 54.0 |
UNLV at Miami, 11:00 a.m. on ESPNU from Yager Stadium in Oxford, Ohi. UNLV favored by 2.5, over/under is 50.5. Redhawks to cover. Amirite Jimmy U?
Washington (2-0) at Washington State (2-1), 6:30 p.m. on the Columbia Broadcasting System from Martin Stadium in Pullman. The Apple Cup, sponsored by Boeing. First contested in 1900, this will be the 117th game in a series the Huskies lead 76-34-6 . The state flagship versus the state agricultural college. Sounded familiar… The other one with which I am very familiar is 77-37-5. Huskies favored by 20.5, over/under is 52.5.
The Leland Stanford Junior University (1-2, 1-0) at The University of Virginia (2-1, 0-0), 6:30 p.m. on the ACC Network from Scott Stadium in Charlottesville. Of all the new conference matchups (outside of the SEC) that we now have, this one seems the most fitting. Two really incredible academic institutions, great histories, great alumni. Cavaliers favored by 15.5, over/under is 47.5. Go Hoos! UVA to win and cover.
Brigham Young (2-0) at ECU (2-1), 6:30 p.m. on ESPN2 from the Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium in Greenville, North Carolina. Why of interest? Brigham Young’s rush defense is No. 1 in the nation, allowing 14 yards this season – on 48 attempts. That is less than 11 inches per carry. Cougar pass defense is No. 4 – 198 yards allowed and no touchdowns. No. 1 Total Defense, No. 1 Scoring Defense. I like defense. Mormons favored (in the game) by 6.5. over/under is 49.5.
UTSA (1-2) at Colorado State (1-1), 8:30 p.m. on FS1 from Canvas Stadium in Fort Collins. Coach Jeff Traylor and Roadrunners need a win. UTSA favored by 4.5, over/under is 59.5. Birds Up! 
California Berkeley (3-0) at San Diego State (1-1), 9:30 p.m. on CBSSN from Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego. The Golden Bears have wins over Oregon State, Texas Southern, and Minnesota. Curious, as I can be – quarterback is a freshman from ‘Ewa Beach (Honolulu), Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele. No clue, but he is 71/106 for 780 yards and 6 touchdowns (1 pick) through 3 games. Pretty good not too bad.
The UTRGV Vaqueros (3-0) get Texas Wesleyan (1-1) in Edinburg, 7:00 p.m. on ESPN+. The TWU Rams are coming off a big 52-13 win over the Texas College Steers last weekend at Rose Stadium in Tyler. Earl had some big Friday nights there. And probably bigger crowds. No line for the game in the RGV, best I can tell.
Washington & Lee University
The Generals jumped out to a 14-0 first quarter lead, but a rough second half resulted in a tough 21-24 loss on the road at Wittenberg. W&L had 28 first downs to Wittenberg’s 17, rushed for 265 yards on 65 attempts, and Ty Collins passed for two touchdowns. But a W&L fumble and interception hurt the Generals, and a missed field goal in the second quarter would come back to haunt W&L. Anthony Crawford led the Generals with 177 yards rushing on 38 attempts. Collins was 13/20 for 133 yards, 2 TDs, 1 interception in the passing game, and he netted 26 yards on the ground.
The Blue & White are back home at Wilson Field this weekend, with Guilford College Quakers to open ODAC play. The Quakers are 1-1, with an opening season loss to Greensboro College and a 42-40 win last Saturday over Methodist University. It is Young Alumni Weekend in Lexington, kickoff at 4:00 p.m. Shenandoah Valley time. W&L leads the series 23-14 and has one the last 5.
The Juan Heisman Tailgate
A great day at the Juan Heisman Tailgate. Good work by the Early Crew, led by EC Chief Hunter Wilcox and assisted by EC veterans Rick Whiteley, Grant Martin, and James Barton. Not many teams are undefeated – the Wilcox Early Crew is! Thanks to Jay Dwyer who, it turns out, has StarLink. We had internet at JHT – a vast improvement over the challenges of satellite. Thanks Jay and Loro! Special thanks to Bobby Zamen, who has become one of JHT’s top caporegimes. And, as always, the great work of JHT CFO and all-around top hand Brad Laughlin.
We will be cooking again this Saturday, and lots of time to enjoy Juan Heisman, with plenty of Tito’s Handmade Vodka, some good craft brews from Texas Beer Co., and the usual line up of beers and venison sausage.
Lottie Fleming was back last week!
Lottie Fleming
Lottie loves Hook Em and Django.
Health Alliance for Austin Musicians
HAAM is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. HAAM Day 2025 is September 23. This is my 19th year participating in HAAM Day, and my last as member of the HAAM Board of Directors. I am asking you to join me in supporting HAAM and helping HAAM keep Austin music alive and well.
My first HAAM Day as chairman. With Austin Mayor Will Wynn.
Tim Taylor HAAM Day 2025 Fundraising Page.
Also, start planning now to get out next Tuesday and enjoy live music all over Austin and support the business who support HAAM.
Music Showcases: 2025 Showcases | HAAM Day Music Festival — HAAM
Where to Eat, Drink, and Shop for HAAM Day Music Festival — HAAM
Full Lineup | HAAM Day Music Festival — HAAM
Texas Volleyball
The Longhorns swept then No. 9 Arizona State on Sunday. Wednesday night at the Greg, Texas swept No. 9 Texas Christian.
Texas is now 7-0 and has defeated six ranked teams (five were top 10).
Texas has Baylor here Friday, September 17, at the Greg, 6:00 p.m., broadcast on SEC Network.
*Photo – Kennedy Wilson, The Daily Texan
The Polls
ESPN’s FPI
2025 College Football Power Index – ESPN
Bill Connelly’s SP+
SP+ is “a tempo- and opponent-adjusted measure of college football efficiency that I originally created at Football Outsiders in 2008. SP+ is intended to be predictive and forward-facing.”
Pretty interesting, and some stuff to be thinking about. Florida, despite their record, is No. 30. We will be in the Swamp in 2 weeks. The Land Thieves are now at No. 7. We play them in 3 weeks. Georgia is No. 8. We play the Bulldogs November 15. Texas Agricultural & Mechanical is No. 20. Arkansas is No. 25. Vanderbilt is No. 27.
Ohio State, Oregon, Georgia, Penn State, Louisiana State, Ole Miss, Texas, Alabama, Miami (FL), Land Thieves, and Texas Agricultural & Mechanical at No. 11.
I look forward to seeing what this looks like mid-November and see if the SEC and Big 10 are still dominant.
PFF
PFF has The Ohio State University No. 1, followed by Miami (FL). Louisiana State, Georgia, Oregon, Penn State, The University of Texas Longhorns at 7, Florida State, Texas Agricultural & Mechanical, and Illinois. Vanderbilt enters the PFF rankings at No. 11. Land Thieves 12, Ole Miss 14, Auburn 15, Alabama 15, Mississippi State 18, and Tennessee at No. 19.
Kelley Ford Ratings
Some of the Lone Star State’s best sportswriters collaborate to produce the SEC Power Rankings. Kirk Bohls, Houston Chronicle; Cedric Golden, Austin American-Statesman; Reid Laymance, Houston Chronicle; Tony Catalina, Austin American-Statesman; Kevin Sherrington, Dallas Morning News.
Week Three in the Southeastern Conference
Oklahoma 42-3 over Temple, as expected. Land Thieves covered as expected.
Alabama 38-14 over Wisconsin. Crimson Tide covered. I was wrong on that one. Good win for Bama.
Auburn 31-15 over South Alabama. Tigers didn’t cover.
Georgia 44, Tennessee 41 in overtime. One heckuva college football game. Gunner Stockton passed for 304 yards and 2 scores for the Dawgs (ran for another), while Joey Aguilar (Nico’s successor) chunked it for 371 yards and 4 touchdowns; the 2 picks didn’t help the Volunteer Cause. Georgia rushed for 200 gross, Tennessee for 133 gross. A lot of offense – 502 for UGA, 496 for Rocky Top. Line was Bulldogs favored by 3.5 …
Missouri crushed ULaLa 52-10. Covering the 27.5.
Mississippi State 63-0 over Alcorn State
Ole Miss 41, Arkansas 35. Heckuva football game in Oxford. Rebs win by 6, they were favored by 6.5.
Louisiana State 20 to 10 over Florida.
Kentucky 48-23 over Eastern Michigan. Kentucky was favored by 25.5. How they can nail a line in a game like this befuddles me.
Vanderbilt with a shocking 31-7 beating of then No. 11 South Carolina. The Gamecocks were favored by 3.5. Go look at the box score and explain this to me. Pavia was just okay. Total yards close. Hmm. USC with 4 turnovers (Vandy 1), and 8 penalties for 85 yards.
A heck of a day of football was highlighted by great game in Indiana, as Texas Agricultural & Mechanical beat the Notre Dame Fighting Irish 41-40 There are always call in games that go both ways, but oh my.
Week Three: Service Academies
Navy 42-23 over Tulsa. Navy won, but I was wrong, they didn’t cover.
Air Force goes down to Utah State, 49-30. Falcons were favored by 3.5. A big miss.
Top 25 – Week Three
Indiana 73-0 over the Indiana State Sycamores. Only 3X my stupid prediction!
Northwestern gave Oregon a fight, as Oregon got the 34-14 win in Evanston. Oregon was favored by 28.5, but the over/under was 49.5. Ducks to cover? Wrong TCT.
I was right about Clemson at Georgia Tech. A heck of a football game. Yellow Jackets with the game winning field goal as time expired to beat the Tigers 24-21. Haynes King narrowly outdueled Cade Klubnik in the air, but it was King’s 103 yards rushing (with a TD) that was the difference. “Tough one to call, because if Klubnik finds his groove, and the Clemson defense plays well, I think the Tigers by 17. If not, pick ‘em.”
Michigan 63-3 over the Central Michigan Chippewas.
Penn State 52-6 over Villanova.
Texas Technical 45-14 over the Oregon State Beavers. “The Sand Aggies are 23.5 point favorites against the Beavers. Don’t be surprised if Tech covers.”
No. 14 Iowa State beats Arkansas State 24-16. Red Wolves cover.
No. 5 Miami (FL) 49-12 over No. 18 South Florida.
No. 1 Ohio State beats Ohio 37-9. Bobcats cover!
Western Michigan skunked at No. 9 Illinois 38-0.
No. 20 Utah 31-6 over Wyoming.
Other Games of Interest – Week Three
Houston 36-20 over Colorado, Cougars covered.
Arizona 23-17 over Kansas State. The purple Wildcats were favored by 1.5. “I will take Arizona to win and cover.” ü
Big Red rolled over Houston Christian 59-7. Nebraska with 554 yards of offense.
Virginia 55. William & Mary 16. Wahoo Wa.
Southern Cal 33-17 over Purdue. Boilermakers cover.
Cal 27-14 over the Gophers.
Eric Morris and his Mean Green just whipped Washington State, 59-10. The line was UNT by 5.5 point and the over/under was 57.5. North Texas covered both.
Southern Methodist 28-10 over Missouri State. I overestimated the Ponies on this one.
West Virginia wins The Backyard Brawl 31-24 over Pittsburgh. Panthers were favored by 7.5, and I had Pitt to win and cover. X
UTSA got that needed win, 48-20 over crosstown rival Incarnate Word.
Rice 38-17 over Prairie View A&M.
Texas Christian 42-21 over Abilene Christian. Ed Small with 6 catches for 45 yards and two touchdowns. Ed was Big 12 Freshman of the Week.
Didn’t have this in the Dispatch last week, but the result is interesting. Old Dominion beat Virginia Tech 45-26 in Blacksburg. Hokies were favored by 6.5 and lost by nearly 20 at home Crazy.
The UTRGV Vaqueros 80 to nothing over the Langston University. Wow.
Jim Nicar
1968: The view of U.T. Austin from the new Castilian private dorm. Jester Center is under construction in the back right, while modernist architecture is seen in the similar tile screens on the 1960 Texas Union expansion and on the 1963 Undergraduate Library behind it.
From Jim’s July 8, 2025 post on X:
Also, shared by Jim, this cool story. Folic acid (Vitamin B9) was discovered at UT after distilling four tons of spinach.
Music
Sturgill Simpson
ACL Live, Johnnie Blue Skies.
Turtles All the Way Down.
JBS/SS – I Don’t Mind
Picture of the Week
JType. This photo is from his September 16, 2025 post on Instagram.
On X: @tctayloratx
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On Instagram: @tctayloratx
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You can contact me by mail: Tim Taylor P.O. Box 5371 Austin, Texas 78763-5371