{"id":441453,"date":"2026-09-19T22:52:12","date_gmt":"2026-09-19T22:52:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/441453\/"},"modified":"2026-09-19T22:52:12","modified_gmt":"2026-09-19T22:52:12","slug":"five-things-that-will-decide-texas-longhorns-vs-utsa-in-week-3","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/441453\/","title":{"rendered":"Five Things That Will Decide Texas Longhorns vs. UTSA in Week 3"},"content":{"rendered":"

Texas is the new No. 1<\/a>, but the Longhorns won’t stay that way if Steve Sarkisian and Co. are still riding the high of beating Ohio State 24-23 in Week 2<\/a> and not focusing on defending the crown, each and every week.<\/p>\n

Last weekend featured the game of the season so far in the sport, but this is a “what have you done for me lately?” game. UT is a close game, with UTSA not losing all its new believers.<\/p>\n

How do the Longhorns avoid a hangover effort against the Roadrunners, with a Week 4 date with Tennessee on Rocky Top looming?<\/p>\n

These five things will decide Texas’s chances of keeping their No. 1 title heading into the start of SEC play:<\/p>\n

Which Side Limits Turnovers\"Raleek<\/p>\n

Sep 12, 2026; Austin, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns running back Raleek Brown (0) runs against Ohio State Buckeyes safety Earl Little Jr. (1) and running back Legend Bey (2) during the second half at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n

The Longhorns only allow this game to be close if Arch Manning and the offense, plus the special teams, cough up the ball. Manning and Co. are facing a defense that already has nine takeaways early in 2026.<\/p>\n

On the other side, quarterback Owen McCown needs to keep UTSA’s up-tempo offense moving without making any throwing mistakes himself. McCown doesn’t have any turnovers thus far, so it’ll be on Manning to match that pristine standard on the other side.<\/p>\n

Which Defense Gets Off the Field on Third Down<\/p>\n

Will Muschamp’s defense is surprisingly inefficient on third down so far, allowing opponents to convert 50% of the time. Texas State was actually a bigger problem in that regard (8\/14) than the Buckeyes were last week.<\/p>\n

He needs to make sure the opposition isn’t extending drives early on. Most of the Bobcats’ conversions came late in the game during Week 1, while Ohio State’s came early.<\/p>\n

Which Offense Establishes the Run<\/p>\n

Hollywood Smothers and Raleek Brown should have this portion covered for the Longhorns. Texas’s offense has yet to go under 140 rushing yards in a game thus far.<\/p>\n

If Will Henderson is finding gaps and making the Longhorns’ defensive front pay, this game will have an anxious buzz around it.<\/p>\n

Which Receivers Make Catches And Don’t Stall the Offense<\/p>\n

The drop problems from Ryan Wingo and Cam Coleman put Texas behind the 8-ball last week. There cannot be drive-stopping mistakes like that with the pressure of being No. 1 already weighing down on Manning and Co.<\/p>\n

If the Roadrunners’ receivers play a clean game, they can help McCown’s fast-moving offense move the chains and make the DKR Stadium crowd worried.<\/p>\n

Which Defense Avoids Penalties<\/p>\n

By that same token, the Longhorns can’t be allowing UTSA extra chances through sloppy defensive play.<\/p>\n

Once Texas hits the road, discipline will be key. For defense and special teams. High-powered SEC offenses cannot be given extra chances to work with. Neither can the Roadrunners, unless this matchup is destined for stress.<\/p>\n

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