Texas’ Week 3 matchup against UTSA comes right after a huge showdown against Alabama. If there’s a game to overlook this season, it might feel like UTSA is the one. Please continue reading if you need to be convinced not to mow your yard or run errands during the Texas-UTSA game. We’ll explain why…
Here are a few reasons why fans should take the UTSA matchup very seriously:
Reason #1 – Key Player Injuries for Texas
The Alabama game did not come without a cost to the Texas roster. Quinn Ewers suffered a left clavicle sprain and left the game after a hit in the first quarter. According to head coach Steve Sarkisian, Ewers is day-to-day, but the injury was initially reported to have him out for four to six weeks.
In addition to Ewers’ injury, starting cornerback D’Shawn Jamison (ankle), star running back Bijan Robinson (shoulder), and backup quarterback Hudson Card (ankle) are now considered day-to-day following the physical battle against Bama.
With injuries to our first and second-string quarterbacks, it is likely that third-stringer Charles Wright will see significant playing time against UTSA. Wright (a redshirt freshman) is a former three-star recruit out of Austin High who has never started a game at Texas and has not established passing statistics as a Texas play caller.
Before committing to Texas, Wright was committed to the Iowa State Cyclones football program. As Texas fans, we have come to appreciate that Iowa State is no slouch in the Big 12. Take some comfort in the fact that Wright was recruited by some trustworthy schools, but we have yet to see Wright show that he can lead the Texas offense to a victory.
Reason #2 – UTSA’s 2021 Season
Despite only having a football program since 2011, UTSA has already earned notable success. While the Longhorns went 5-7 in 2021 the UTSA Roadrunners went 12-2 and won the Conference USA championship.
UTSA will come into Austin with a battle-tested roster following the 2021 season and two overtime games already this season. In Week 1, they lost to Houston by two points after three overtimes. In Week 2, they went on the road to beat Army by three points in another overtime game.
Reason #3 – UTSA’s Culture and Senior Leadership
On Saturday keep an eye on UTSA players wearing single-digit jersey numbers. The single-digit jerseys are a big deal for the Roadrunners and their program’s culture. These jerseys are reserved for the leaders of the UTSA team, and head coach Jeff Traylor frequently refers to them as the “Single Digit Guys.”
Senior quarterback Frank Harris wears #0. Harris is a three-year starter with proven passing ability. Harris has already thrown six TDs and almost 700 yards this season. Harris also leads UTSA in rushing in 2022 despite having the third most rushing attempts on the team.
Reason #4 – Know The Name “Jeff Traylor”
Jeff Traylor is beginning his third season as UTSA’s head coach. To date, Traylor is 20-8 at UTSA. Traylor started his coaching career in the East Texas high school ranks. He served as head coach for his hometown Gilmer Buckeyes for 15 years.
Don’t be fooled by his easygoing demeanor or the East Texas drawl. On the field Jeff means business. During his career at Gilmer High School Traylor won 12 district titles and three 4A state championships. He won 4A coach of the year four times.
Head Coach Jeff Traylor | Image by UTSA.edu
Regardless of the game’s outcome on Saturday, you should know about Jeff Traylor’s ascending career. Don’t be surprised if he takes on a significant head coaching role in a Power 5 conference in the next few years.
Taking all things into consideration, each of us at Football on the 40 believes that Texas will win this weekend. We’re sticking with our preseason picks. To date, we haven’t gotten one wrong. Let’s hope that continues!