Texas Longhorns running back Quintrevion Wisner (5) spots a lane to run through in the second half of the Texas Longhorns’ game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Aug. 30, 2025.
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The No. 9 Texas Longhorns kick off their SEC schedule Saturday at struggling Florida while the No. 6 Texas A&M Aggies host resurgent Mississippi State, which is coming off a near upset of Tennessee. Those are two of the top Week 6 matchups of the 2025 college football season that we’re picking.
Here’s how American-Statesman college beat writers Tony Catalina, Danny Davis, David Eckert, Thomas Jones and Caleb Yum and Statesman columnist Cedric Golden are picking 15 top matchups.
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MORE:Â How to watch Texas at Florida. See start time, TV channel
GOLDEN: Which SEC games should Texas be most worried about?
Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) jumps into the end zone to score a touch down during the Texas Longhorns’ game against the Sam Houston State Bearkats at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025.
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The Texas Longhorns celebrate after winning the game against the Sam Houston State Bearkats at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) runs the ball five yards to score a touchdown in the first quarter of the Texas Longhorns’ game against the Sam Houston State Bearkats at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Sept. 20, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns quarterback Matthew Caldwell (18) carries the ball for 50-yards in the third quarter of the Texas Longhorns’ game against the Sam Houston State Bearkats at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Sept. 20, 2025.
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Bevo takes the field before the Texas Longhorns’ game against the Sam Houston State Bearkats at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns wide receiver Ryan Niblett (21) dives close to the end zone to get a first down in the second quarter of the Texas Longhorns’ game against the Sam Houston State Bearkats at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Sept. 20, 2025.
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Sam Houston State Bearkats defense brings down Texas Longhorns wide receiver DeAndre Moore Jr. (0) in the second quarter of the Texas Longhorns’ game against the Sam Houston State Bearkats at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Sept. 20, 2025.
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Texas fans dance during the Texas Longhorns’ game against the Sam Houston State Bearkats at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns running back Christian Clark (6) evades Sam Houston Bearkats defensive back Joe Swen (16) to score a touchdown during the Texas Longhorns’ game against the Sam Houston State Bearkats at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns running back Jerrick Gibson (9) dives into the end zone to score a touchdown in the first quarter of the Texas Longhorns’ game against the Sam Houston State Bearkats at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Sept. 20, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns tight end Nick Townsend (81) celebrates after the Texas Longhorns’ game against the Sam Houston State Bearkats at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Sept. 20, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns wide receiver DeAndre Moore Jr. (0) celebrates after the Texas Longhorns’ game against the Sam Houston State Bearkats at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Sept. 20, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns defensive end Smith Orogbo (46) sacks Sam Houston Bearkats quarterback Hunter Watson (10) during the Texas Longhorns’ game against the Sam Houston State Bearkats at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025.
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Glen Powell takes photos with fans during the Texas Longhorns’ game against the Sam Houston State Bearkats at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025.
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A young Texas fan reacts to getting a high-five from a player as they walk into the stadium ahead of the Texas Longhorns’ game against the Sam Houston State Bearkats at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Sept. 20, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns defensive back Wardell Mack prays ahead of the Texas Longhorns’ game against the Sam Houston State Bearkats at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Sept. 20, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns wide receiver Ryan Niblett (21) advances the ball during the Texas Longhorns’ game against the Sam Houston State Bearkats at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) warms up of the Texas Longhorns’ game against the Sam Houston State Bearkats at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Sept. 20, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns running back Jerrick Gibson (9) celebrates scoring a touchdown with his teammates in the first quarter of the Texas Longhorns’ game against the Sam Houston State Bearkats at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Sept. 20, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns running back Christian Clark (6) hurdles Sam Houston State Bearkats defensive back Emon Allen (7) in the fourth quarter of the Texas Longhorns’ game against the Sam Houston State Bearkats at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Sept. 20, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns running back Jerrick Gibson (9) gazes upward as he celebrates scoring a touchdown in the first quarter of the Texas Longhorns’ game against the Sam Houston State Bearkats at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Sept. 20, 2025.
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Chris Muniz puts his “Horns Up” as he watches Bowling For Soup ahead of the Texas Longhorns’ game against the Sam Houston State Bearkats at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian puts his “Horns Up” as he walks into the stadium ahead of the Texas Longhorns’ game against the Sam Houston State Bearkats at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Sept. 20, 2025.
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A young Texas fan waits to watch the players enter the stadium ahead of the Texas Longhorns’ game against the Sam Houston State Bearkats at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Sept. 20, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns wide receiver Ryan Wingo (1) stands in the end zone to celebrate a touchdown in the third quarter of the Texas Longhorns’ game against the Sam Houston State Bearkats at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Sept. 20, 2025.
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Texans fans line Bevo Boulevard to watch Bevo enter the stadium ahead of the Texas Longhorns’ game against the Sam Houston State Bearkats at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Sept. 20, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns defensive back Jelani McDonald (4) celebrates a turnover on downs in the third quarter of the Texas Longhorns’ game against the Sam Houston State Bearkats at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Sept. 20, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns defensive back Michael Taaffe (16) greets fans as he enters the stadium ahead of the Texas Longhorns’ game against the Sam Houston State Bearkats at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025.
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Lauren Ulin, left, dances to Bowling For Soup at Longhorn City Limits ahead of the Texas Longhorns’ game against the Sam Houston State Bearkats at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian smiles as he walks the field ahead of the Texas Longhorns’ game against the Sam Houston State Bearkats at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Sept. 20, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns wide receiver Parker Livingstone (13) warms up ahead of the Texas Longhorns’ game against the Sam Houston State Bearkats at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Sept. 20, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) warms up of the Texas Longhorns’ game against the Sam Houston State Bearkats at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Sept. 20, 2025.
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The Texas Longhorns’ warm up ahead of their game against the Sam Houston State Bearkats at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Sept. 20, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns running back Jerrick Gibson (9) runs through a tackle attempt to score a touchdown in the first quarter of the Texas Longhorns’ game against the Sam Houston State Bearkats at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Sept. 20, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns tight end Jordan Washington (84) smiles as he runs into the end zone to score in the second quarter of the Texas Longhorns’ game against the Sam Houston State Bearkats at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Sept. 20, 2025.
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Texas Athletic Director Chris Del Conte walks off the field after the Texas Longhorns’ game against the Sam Houston State Bearkats at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Sept. 20, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns wide receiver Ryan Wingo (1) celebrates a run in the second quarter of the Texas Longhorns’ game against the Sam Houston State Bearkats at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Sept. 20, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns wide receiver Ryan Wingo (1) tries to run through a tackle in the second quarter of the Texas Longhorns’ game against the Sam Houston State Bearkats at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Sept. 20, 2025.
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Texas fans react to Glen Powell waving hello to them during the Texas Longhorns’ game against the Sam Houston State Bearkats at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns wide receiver Ryan Niblett (21) spins away from defenders during the Texas Longhorns’ game against the Sam Houston State Bearkats at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns tight end Emaree Winston (85) advances the ball during the Texas Longhorns’ game against the Sam Houston State Bearkats at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns quarterback Matthew Caldwell (18) passes off the ball to Texas Longhorns running back James Simon (31) during the Texas Longhorns’ game against the Sam Houston State Bearkats at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns running back Quintrevion Wisner (5) celebrates the first touchdown of the Texas Longhorns’ game against the Sam Houston State Bearkats at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025.
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Sam Houston State Bearkats running back Landan Brown (34) evades a tackle from Texas Longhorns linebacker Lance Jackson (40) in the second quarter of the Texas Longhorns’ game against the Sam Houston State Bearkats at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Sept. 20, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns wide receiver Ryan Niblett (21) goes down on a punt return in the third quarter of the Texas Longhorns’ game against the Sam Houston State Bearkats at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Sept. 20, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns running back Jerrick Gibson (9) evades defense from Sam Houston State Bearkats linebacker Tokyo Gordon (26) and Sam Houston State Bearkats defensive back Emon Allen (7) in the third quarter of the Texas Longhorns’ game against the Sam Houston State Bearkats at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Sept. 20, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns running back Christian Clark (6) dives over the Sam Houston defense in the fourth quarter of the Texas Longhorns’ game against the Sam Houston State Bearkats at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Sept. 20, 2025.
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Bowling For Soup headlines Longhorn City Limits on the LBJ Lawn ahead of the Texas Longhorns’ game against the Sam Houston State Bearkats at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025.
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Matthew Rizzolo slides with Beau and Sage while checking out the carnival ahead of the Texas Longhorns’ game against the Sam Houston State Bearkats at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Sept. 20, 2025.
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Jamie Angelica wears stilts as she high fives Jak Crawford alongside his dad, Zachary Crawford, ahead of the Texas Longhorns’ game against the Sam Houston State Bearkats at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025.
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Fans walk along Smokey’s Midway ahead of the Texas Longhorns’ game against the Sam Houston State Bearkats at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns wide receiver Deandre Moore Jr. (0) hurdles over Sam Houston Bearkats defensive back Jaidan Scott (4) as he advances the ball during the Texas Longhorns’ game against the Sam Houston State Bearkats at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns linebacker Trey Moore (8) takes down Sam Houston Bearkats quarterback Hunter Watson (10) during the Texas Longhorns’ game against the Sam Houston State Bearkats at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns linebacker Trey Moore (8) celebrates his takes down of Sam Houston Bearkats quarterback Hunter Watson (10) during the Texas Longhorns’ game against the Sam Houston State Bearkats at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns linebacker Ty’Anthony Smith (26) and Texas Longhorns defensive back Michael Taaffe celebrate a sack Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) during the Texas Longhorns’ game against the Sam Houston State Bearkats at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns running back James Simon (31) advances the ball during the Texas Longhorns’ game against the Sam Houston State Bearkats at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns wide receiver Ryan Wingo (1) celebrates a touchdown with a teammate in the third quarter of the Texas Longhorns’ game against the Sam Houston State Bearkats at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Sept. 20, 2025.
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Last week: Golden and Jones went 13-2, Catalina was 12-3, Yum was 11-4 and Davis and Eckert went 10-5.
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The season: 1. Catalina 53-22; T2. Golden 52-23; T2. Yum 52-23; 4. Jones 50-25; T5. Davis 46-29; T5. Eckert 46-29
Week 6 games
No. 9 Texas at Florida (2:30 p.m., ESPN): Texas — Catalina, Davis, Eckert, Golden, Jones and Yum; Florida — none
Mississippi State at No. 6 Texas A&M (6:30 p.m., SEC Network): Miss. State — None; Texas A&M — Catalina, Davis, Eckert, Golden, Jones and Yum
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No. 3 Miami at No. 18 Florida State (6:30 p.m., ABC): Miami — Catalina, Davis, Eckert and Yum; Florida State — Golden, JonesÂ
No. 16 Vanderbilt at No. 10 Alabama (2:30 p.m., ABC): Vanderbilt — Eckert; Alabama — Catalina, Davis, Golden, Jones and Yum
No. 11 Texas Tech at Houston (6 p.m., ESPN): Texas Tech — Catalina, Davis, Eckert, Golden, Jones and Yum; Houston — None
No. 14 Iowa State at Cincinnati (11 a.m., ESPN2): Iowa State — Catalina, Eckert, Golden, Jones and Yum; Cincinnati — Davis
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Wisconsin at No. 20 Michigan (11 a.m., Fox): Wisconsin — None; Michigan — Catalina, Davis, Eckert, Golden, Jones and Yum
No. 22 Illinois at Purdue (11 a.m., Big Ten Network): Illinois — Catalina, Davis, Eckert, Golden, Jones and Yum; Purdue — None
No. 24 Virginia at Louisville (2:30 p.m., ESPN2): Virginia — None; Louisville — Catalina, Davis, Eckert, Golden, Jones and Yum
Kansas State at Baylor (11 a.m., ESPN+): Kansas State — Jones; Baylor — Catalina, Davis, Eckert, Golden and Yum
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Kansas at Central Florida (6:30 p.m., ESPN2): Kansas — Catalina, Davis and Eckert; Central Florida — Golden, Jones and Yum
Colorado at TCU (6:30 p.m., Fox): Colorado — None; TCU — Catalina, Davis, Eckert, Golden, Jones and Yum
Washington at Maryland (2:30 p.m., Big Ten Network): Washington — Catalina, Davis, Golden, Jones and Yum; Maryland — Eckert
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Duke at California (9:30 p.m., ESPN): Duke — Eckert; Cal — Catalina, Davis, Golden, Jones and Yum
Texas State at Arkansas State (3 p.m., ESPNU): Texas State — Catalina, Eckert, Golden, Jones and Yum; Arkansas State — Davis