Texas vs. Texas State: Everything to Know About the Longhorns' First Opponent

The Texas Longhorns will finally return to the field at Darrell K. Royal Texas-Memorial Stadium for what's being projected as a major season filled with massive championship expectations both at the conference level and nationally.

And after an offseason of headline-grabbing changes and additions, the Longhorns will finally put the talking to rest as they open the season this weekend against a team that makes a short trip to Austin in the Texas State Bobcats on Sept. 5.

While the Longhorns head into the matchup as heavy favorites and should have no trouble taking on the Bobcats, but football is never won on paper, and Texas should not overlook the Texas State team, which heads into a new era with continued success.

Texas Faces Interesting Texas State Test

Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian looks on before a game against the Michigan Wolverines at Camping World Stadium. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The Bobcats are one of the newest programs, which joined the wild world of conference realignment, opting to leave the Sun Belt Conference and set their flag on the newly rebuilt Pac-12 that looks to rebound after being gutted a few seasons ago when Oregon, Washington, USC, and UCLA left for the Big Ten.

Texas State jumps from the Sun Belt after spending 13 seasons in the conference and goes from being conference foes with the Troy Trojans, the Louisiana Ragin Cajuns, and the South Alabama Jaguars to facing the Sun Diego State Aztecs, Colorado State Rams, Utah State Aggies in the Bobcats' first three weeks of conference play.

While the Longhorns will undoubtedly roll into the season opener with a high level of confidence, the Bobcats should not be underestimated, with head coach GJ Kinne building Texas State into a successful G5 program.

Headed into his fourth season with the Texas State program, Kinne has quickly carved out plenty of success in San Marcos with three straight bowl game victories, which are the only bowl game wins in Texas State program history.

Leading the Bobcats into their newest chapter for the program is starting quarterback Brad Jackson, following a breakout season in 2025. Jackson completed over 70 percent of his passes, finishing with 3,224 passing yards and 21 touchdowns on just seven interceptions.

The Texas State starter was also a force on the ground, netting 744 yards rushing and going long with a team-high 17 rushing touchdowns. For his 2025 season, Jackson earned several distinctions, being named an Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award Semifinalist, earning All-Sun Belt Conference Third Team honors, and earning Phil Steele All-SBC Third Team honors.

Not only will the Longhorns' new revamped defense under defensive coordinator Will Muschamp have to keep a close eye on Jackson, but the Texas State offense also returns two explosive weapons at Jackson's disposal.

The Bobcats bring back two 1,000-yard wide receivers, Beau Sparks and Chris Dawn Jr., both of whom were named to the 2026 Biletnikoff Award Preseason Watch List.

Sparks was the leader of Texas State's air attack a season ago, leading the team with 84 receptions for 1,200 yards and 10 touchdowns while Dawn Jr. totaled 65 receptions for 1,007 yards and four touchdowns.

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