Texas Longhorns Look to Bounce Back Against Texas State

The Longhorns aim to recover from a disappointing series loss to BYU.

Things are not looking great for the Texas Longhorns (19-13, 7-5) as they currently stand. While they still find themselves battling it out towards the top half of the standings, a disappointing showing against the BYU Cougars has left the Longhorns reeling.

With the back half of the season coming up, and plenty of questions surrounding this team, a tough midweek series against the Texas State Bobcats (16-16) presents a pivotal moment in the Longhorns' season.

Both fortunately and unfortunately, Texas is all too familiar with Texas State this season. The two teams squared off during the opening weekend in Houston, with the Bobcats emerging victorious in what was a back-and-forth affair in the late innings -- largely due to the bullpen failing to hold a lead.

Now, Texas prepares for a pair of midweek games split home-and-home, looking to get back on track as the home stretch of the season awaits.

Texas infielder Jared Thomas (9) bats as the Longhorns play Houston Christian at UFCU Disch -Falk Field

Mikala Compton/American-Statesman / USA

How to watch/listen

Game 1: Tuesday at 6 p.m. CT (ESPN+/TexasSports.com/Audio)

Game 2: Wednesday at 7 p.m. CT (Longhorn Network/TexasSports.com/Audio)

Texas State by the numbers:

• Record: 16-16

• Runs scored: 229

• Runs allowed: 183

• Team Avg.: .272

• Team Avg. allowed: .267

• Team ERA: 5.23

Texas State wins this series if...

It can replicate the success it had against the Longhorns in Houston earlier this season as well as what other teams have shown works. That, of course, is the goal of knocking out the starting pitching early into the game and wearing away at a bullpen that has shown cracks in the foundation beyond a few reliable arms.

That plan could prove especially useful in these two midweek games when Texas won't be as eager to throw high-caliber arms if possible in preparation for conference play. Recognizing that the Bobcats must take advantage of bullpen days. Doing so, and waking up the bats, could see Texas State capture two more wins against the Longhorns.

Texas wins this series if...

It can finally get a reliable pitching outing from its staff in the midweek. So far this season that has been one of the biggest inconsistencies for the Longhorns. While the weekend rotation has question marks of its own, it at least has shown flashes of stability at times that leave hope for a promising finish down the final stretch of conference play.

The same can not readily be said for the midweek results, at least not to date. There of course have been moments of strong pitching, but not enough to build around and stack up midweeek wins. Facing a potent Bobcats' lineup, the Longhorns find themselves presented with an opportunity to take a step towards solving the bullpen and build confidence for the back half of the season.