IT Roundtable: UTSA predictions, players to watch, storylines, and more

The Inside Texas staff looks at players to watch and key storylines for the No. 2 Texas Longhorns‘ matchup with the visiting UTSA Roadrunners and offers predictions for the third game of the season in the IT Roundtable.

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What are you looking for from the Longhorns against UTSA following an important win over Michigan?

Eric Nahlin – I want to see them start fast with no signs of hangover and then empty the bench in waves.

Justin Wells – Heavy doses of Jerrick Gibson, Johntay Cook, and Ryan Wingo on offense, and the ability to pressure the UTSA QBs.

Ian Boyd – Clean play and consistent dominance. This team has serious business this season and needs to treat each game as such.

Joe Cook – Similar intensity. Last year the Longhorns got into a battle with a game Wyoming Cowboys team following a week two win over a highly-ranked opponent on the road. Those Cowboys are better than these Roadrunners, but that shouldn’t allow for miscues that create explosive runs. The Longhorns are likely to see some three-safety defense, so Texas will need to bring hat on the ground as well.

Charlie Williams – Intensity and execution. It’s Texas versus Texas

Paul Wadlington – I want to see enough maturity and self-recognition that this is a natural letdown spot and see it overcome with self-motivation. Eager to see more reps of our various defensive packages and for Quinn Ewers to get to play with more of his pass catching toys. If UTSA plays off, I want to see the ability to dominate in the running game.

James Hayden – No complacency, and a shutout defensively.

The backups are playing midway through the 3rd if…

Eric Nahlin – They’ll probably play in the first half because that’s the way Sark operates. So many backups have earned trust and playing time. The backups are better than UTSA’s starters at most positions.

Justin Wells – Quinn Ewers has two TD passes and Quintrevion Wisner/Jerrick Gibson split a pair of touchdowns.

Ian Boyd – We continue to see the level of defense we saw in weeks one and two. The game will be out of reach by then if UTSA can’t score and they won’t score if the defense keeps up this level of play.

Joe Cook – Quinn Ewers is efficient and the defense held UTSA to under 10 because Texas is scoring a lot more than 10 in the first half.

Charlie Williams – Texas comes out after halftime and gets a stop and a score.

Paul Wadlington – We’re up big at half because we brought it early and often. The crowd needs to help in that regard. Don’t blame a team for being listless if you’re in Austin and rolling in around the middle of the 1st quarter and not getting some juice going early.

James Hayden – Quinn Ewers breaks 250 yards.

Texas is in a closer game than it anticipated if…

Eric Nahlin – Turnovers and penalties on offense; uncharacteristic assignment busts on defense.

Justin Wells – They completely overlook a down UTSA team playing with nothing to lose and the defense gives up big plays.

Ian Boyd – It’s hard to imagine the calamity which would bring this about. It’d have to be turnovers and special teams snafus that thwarted Longhorn offense and gifted the Roadrunners some points.

Joe Cook – The run game doesn’t work against the three safety defense (if deployed) and Texas struggles to set up explosive pass plays.

Charlie Williams – They play sloppy and down to their opponent, and go through the motions

Paul Wadlington – They screw around and some of UTSA’s defensive looks cause a lapse in execution or stupid penalties.

James Hayden – They can’t establish the run game.

Which backup/second stringer are you interested in seeing perform?

Eric Nahlin – The best backup in the country — Arch Manning.

Justin Wells – Jelani McDonald. The big nickel is a big deal.

Ian Boyd – Give me more Ryan Wingo.

Joe Cook – I’d like to really dial in on watching Trevor Goosby and Brandon Baker.

Charlie Williams – Warren Roberson

Paul Wadlington – You know things are good and future trends are strong when you can’t limit it to just one backup. Whether it’s the freshman like Ryan Wingo, Colin Simmons, Jerrick Gibson or our next superstar in Arch Manning. I’d like to see Silas Bolden get a little love.

James Hayden – Ryan Wingo

Final score prediction

Eric Nahlin – 44-10, Texas

Justin Wells – 44-13, Texas

Ian Boyd – 56-6, Texas

Joe Cook – 56-10, Texas

Charlie Williams – 65-13 Texas

Paul Wadlington – 45-10, Texas

James Hayden – 52-7, Texas

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It’s a light week in CFB, but the game of the week is…

Eric Nahlin – I haven’t watched Oklahoma yet so I’ll go with the Sooners versus the Tulane Green Wave.

Justin Wells – Texas A&M at Florida. The loser has the longest week ahead of them and a season heading toward dire straits.

Ian Boyd – The trifecta is possible this week (Texas wins, A&M and OU lose), the most interesting one is probably Oklahoma versus Tulane. The Aggies losing a SEC road game is pretty old hat.

Joe Cook – Alabama at Wisconsin is intriguing for the helmet matchup but I don’t see that one being close. I’ll say UCF at TCU as a game that is worth watching for how competitive it’s likely to be.

Charlie Williams – UNLV at Kansas. The last game ended in a fight and this one should be fireworks

Paul Wadlington – Not a game of the week, but I want to get eyes on Tulane–Oklahoma. I hope it gets interesting.

James Hayden – Arizona versus Kansas State