Roundtable - Week 1: Texas vs UL-Monroe

The Inside Texas staff takes a close look at the Week 1 matchup with UL-Monroe. Game predictions, players to watch, and more. It’s time for football in 2022.

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1. Who is the most important Texas player (OFF/DEF) in the UL-Monroe game for Week 1?

Eric Nahlin:  I don’t know about importance, but I’ll be watching to see how Quinn Ewers (OFF) begins his career after the long lay off from real action. A good performance would boost his already confident disposition heading into the season. He needs to demonstrate command of the offense so Sark can continue to put more on his plate. On defense, I’ll go with Jaylan Ford (DEF). If we see real linebacker reads and plays out of him that will show the type of growth we’re hoping to see out of someone who sources believe is a future NFL Draft pick.

Joe Cook: Quinn Ewers (OFF); Sure, Bijan Robinson is always going to be the guy who is relied upon do to a lot in the offense. I want to know how the redshirt freshman quarterback making his first career start for his childhood favorite fares when the lights are shining bright. We all know his deep ball strengths. Can he go through his progressions while staying in the pocket? Will he do the mundane right? ULM is the right opponent to test that against. DeMarvion Overshown (DEF); I am curious how he is able to handle the various responsibilities he’ll have to take on to make this defense work.

Justin Wells: Kelvin Banks (OFF); his play at left tackle could be the lynchpin that helps this offense get to the level Steve Sarkisian desires. Byron Murphy (DEF); If the half-man, half-pitbull can occupy multiple blockers, that’ll allow the linebackers to play more free and cause more damage.

Ian Boyd: Jake Majors (OFF); Quinn Ewers’ whole career is front of him, his game is kinda incidental, but Majors needs to help his quarterback and young line by helping guide all these youngsters to put together a solid first outing protecting their QB. Ovie Oghoufo (DEF); should be looking to have a big day and working to fend off any young potential replacements behind him on the Edge.

Gerry Hamilton: Quinn Ewers (OFF); First time throwing a pass in a game in roughly 19 months. Yep, that is a long time. Just getting back in the flow of playing quarterback in a game makes him most important, as his play the next two years will be key in the trajectory of the program under Sarkisian. Byron Murphy (DEF); This is a game the Texas defensive line should win handily in the trenches, and Murphy has been the most consistent disruptor. If Texas doesn’t win this game handily on the interior, that’s not a real strong sign. 

Bobby Burton: Quinn Ewers (OFF); It’s imperative Ewers gets into the flow of the game more than any player on the roster. He may start slow but he has to find some rhythm. Sark will make sure of it. Diamonte Tucker-Dorsey (DEF); The glue Texas missed so badly a year ago.

Paul Wadlington: Quinn Ewers (OFF); He hasn’t played real football in two years. Time to break him in and let it fly around a little bit. Byron Murphy (DEF); He’ll face a JUCO sophomore ULM center named Zarian McGill (6-1, 315) and Zarian will have his hands full. If Texas lets Murphy penetrate along with the rest of the front, I’ll have some optimism about the defense’s upside. 

2. Texas-UL Monroe score

Eric Nahlin: Texas, 52-13. Texas will look to empty the bench but in some ways Texas will become more talented as they do so. This is a game in which true freshman Jaydon Blue, the fifth running back, could legitimately go off. True freshman Brenen Thompson could catch a bomb. Etc.

Joe Cook: Texas, 58-14. ULM isn’t good. They have an average G5 quarterback and a good G5 wide receiver. That’s about all the talent on their team that should worry Texas.

Justin Wells: Texas, 48-17. Texas establishes the run early with heavy doses of Bijan Robinson, Roschon Johnson, and Keilan Robinson. The 2nd or 3rd team defense gives up a few big plays to the Warhawks.

Ian Boyd: Texas 56, ULM 13. It should be a “name the score” kind of game where spread covers come down to how well the opponent tackles the backup running backs.

Gerry Hamilton: Texas 54, ULM 16. The rainy forecast could change the tempo of the game. Hard for me to see a scenario where ULM tackles Bijan Robinson well in a rain game, or any Texas backs. 

Bobby Burton: Texas, 38-20. I don’t foresee a perfect start to the season nor do I see the Horns covering the spread either. But I believe Texas gets going and pulls away.

Paul Wadlington: Texas 49, ULM 13. The Warhawks are a bad football team. Texas has talent advantages across the board. Whether that talent executes will determine whether this game breaks early or later in the contest. 

3. Name one ULM Warhawk to watch

Eric Nahlin: Boogie Knight. Duh. He’ll be a solid test for the new Star, whether it’s Jahdae Barron or Jaylon Guilbeau, and the secondary in general.

Joe Cook: I’ll go with the obvious in Chandler Rogers, the Warhawk quarterback. He may have to play hero ball for ULM to have any success. I feel like Texas can bracket Boogie Knight and make Rogers have to work in order to gain yards.

Justin Wells: Boogie Knight. Despite his fabulous name, he’s a ball-player.

Ian Boyd: The quarterback, Chandler Rogers. Curious to see Texas show sound team defense against him on zone-option plays from the shotgun spread.

Gerry Hamilton: WR Boogie Knight. One, I wanted to make sure his name is mentioned as much as possible. And the Texas secondary has plenty of questions to answer headed into the season. Boogie Knight has to help move the chains Saturday night. 

Bobby Burton: Boogie Knight, on name alone.

Paul Wadlington: QB Chandler Rogers is pretty solid. Very mobile and throws well enough in the short and intermediate game to test whether the Longhorn secondary is really adopting a different philosophy or if it’s all chatter. 

4. Season Predictions

Eric Nahlin: 8-4.

Joe Cook: 8-4.

Justin Wells: 7-5.

Ian Boyd: 9-3.

Gerry Hamilton: 8-4.

Bobby Burton: 7-5.

Paul Wadlington: 8-4.