Texas football starts its 2026 season on Saturday, Sept. 5, against Texas State and quarterback Brad Jackson, one of the best non-Power Four signal-callers in college football.
The Longhorns are looking to get back to the College Football Playoff this season after narrowly missing the 12-team field with three regular-season losses a year ago. Texas returns quarterback Arch Manning and will surround him with numerous high-end transfers, such as receiver Cam Coleman from Auburn, and running backs Hollywood Smothers and Raleek Brown from North Carolina State and Arizona State, respectively.
Watch select college football games live with Fubo (free trial)
Texas State will also be a solid test for Texas before the Longhorns face No. 1 Ohio State at home
in Week 2. The Bobcats are in their first season in the new-look Pac-12, and have one of the best quarterback-receiver duos nationally in Jackson and Beau Sparks, who ranked sixth nationally with 1,200 receiving yards in 2025.
Here's how to watch two of Texas' largest public schools face off in Week 1:
Texas vs Texas State predictions, picks, odds
Odds from BetMGM as of Wednesday, Sept. 2.
- Spread: Texas (-29.5)
- Over/under: 59.5
- Moneyline: N/A
USA TODAY prediction: Texas 45, Texas State 17
Texas State is a formidable opponent to Texas, but ultimately doesn't have enough firepower to hang with the Longhorns. Texas' rushing attack shines and leads the way for its offense, while Manning has an efficient showing.
More USA TODAY staff picks:
- John Brice: Texas
- Matt Hayes: Texas
- Jordan Mendoza: Texas
- Paul Myerberg: Texas
- Erick Smith: Texas
- Eddie Timanus: Texas
- Blake Toppmeyer: Texas
What TV channel is Texas vs Texas State on today?
- TV channel: ESPN
- Streaming: ESPN app | Fubo (free trial)
Texas-Texas State will air nationally live on ESPN, with Roy Philpott, Brock Osweiler and Sherree Burruss on the call. Streaming options include the ESPN app (with a valid cable login) and Fubo, which offers a free trial.
Stream Texas-Texas State live with Fubo (free trial)
Texas vs Texas State time today
- Date: Saturday, Sept. 5
- Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
- Location: DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium (Austin, Texas)
The Longhorns-Bobcats game is set for a 3:30 p.m. ET kickoff on Saturday, Sept. 5, from DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Texas.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Texas vs Texas State prediction: Longhorns beat tough in-state rival
Our editors independently choose our recommendations. Some content is produced with paid support from a third party, however our editorial decisions remain independent. If you buy through our links, the USA TODAY Network may earn a commission. Prices and availability may change.
Gannett may earn revenue from sports betting operators for audience referrals to betting services. Sports betting operators have no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. Terms apply, see operator site for Terms and Conditions. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, help is available. Call the National Council on Problem Gambling 24/7 at 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ, OH), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN). Must be 21 or older to gamble. Sports betting and gambling are not legal in all locations. Be sure to comply with laws applicable where you reside. It is your sole responsibility to act in accordance with your local laws.
Gambling involves risk. Please only gamble with funds that you can comfortably afford to lose. While we do our utmost to offer good advice and information we cannot be held responsible for any loss that may be incurred as a result of gambling. We do our best to make sure all the information that we provide on this site is correct. However, from time to time mistakes will be made and we will not be held liable. Please check any stats or information if you are unsure how accurate they are. No guarantees are made with regards to results or financial gain. All forms of betting carry financial risk and it is up to the individual to make bets with or without the assistance of information provided on this site and we cannot be held responsible for any loss that may be incurred as a result of following the betting tips provided on this site. Past performances do not guarantee success in the future and betting odds fluctuate from one minute to the next. The material contained on this site is intended to inform, entertain and educate the reader and in no way represents an inducement to gamble legally or illegally or any sort of professional advice.
Prediction Markets: Certain prediction markets are event contracts regulated by the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) or other applicable regulatory authorities and are legally distinct from traditional gambling and sports betting. Eligibility requirements to participate in prediction markets differ from those for sports betting and gambling — you may be required to be 18 or older (or such other age as the applicable platform requires) and to satisfy other eligibility criteria established by the relevant platform and governing law. Prediction market trading involves financial risk and may not be available in all jurisdictions. The legal and regulatory status of prediction markets varies by jurisdiction and by platform. It is your sole responsibility to confirm that participation is lawful where you reside and to comply with all applicable laws and platform terms.
