Bobcats’ Bold Bid: Will Texas State Shock the Longhorns?
Texas State opens its 2026 season by crashing the burnt orange party at Darrell K. Royal Stadium on September 5th. Coach G.J. Kinne—undefeated seasons and bowl victories in tow—leads the Bobcats into a season-opening clash many see as a foregone conclusion. But college football’s Week 1 is notorious for smash-mouth surprises. The Bobcats arrive fresh off a breakout campaign from dual‐threat QB Brad Jackson (3,224 passing yards, 21 TDs; 744 rushing yards, 17 scores) and now they’re official members of an expanded Pac-12. With Boise State, Fresno State and others uniting for a new West Coast conference, nothing would announce Texas State’s arrival like toppling the preseason national title contenders.
Here’s a hot take: the Bobcats will learn that “burnt orange” isn’t a fashion choice—they’re about to be sunburned. College football’s scrappy underdogs grab headlines by tripping up titans, like a cat stealing your steak off the grill. Coach Kinne’s 23-16 record sounds like the setup to a punchline—until those numbers knock you out of the playoff conversation. Of course, Texas fans will be stocking their tailgate fridges with confidence and chips. But chip away your bravado, Longhorns—nothing says “welcome to the season” like a bobcat pouncing at midfield.
Longhorns’ Pitching, Pinch-Hit Heroes & One Not-So-Hot Catch
Texas baseball’s series against Mississippi State proved why Jim Schlossnagle praised the Bulldogs as “the most complete team” this season—before torching them for a second top-10 series upset. Key takeaways: Omaha-ready pitchers Dylan Volantis and Ruger Riojas throttled a .300-hitting lineup, and the bullpen salvaged its swagger with 14 strikeouts despite a shaky homer surrender. Offensively, slump-busting trinity Temo Beccera, Casey Borba and Ethan Mendoza combined for double-digit hits and clutch homers. Meanwhile, sophomore catcher Carson Tinney went 0-11, striking out four times, though he still managed an RBI after a plunk. Texas closes midweek play Tuesday against UTSA before eyeing postseason glory.
Imagine a pitching staff so stacked even Mount Olympus took notes. The Longhorns hurlers bulldozed Bulldogs like a mechanized lawnmower, while three previously slumping bats staged a Cinderella revival—complete with sparkly cleats. And Carson Tinney? Let’s just say his hit parade was on rain delay. But don’t worry: every baseball season needs its punch-drunk catcher to keep the gods entertained. When you can’t hit, you can at least get hit—Tinney’s plunk and RBI might earn him the Iron Lung Award. Meanwhile, Schlossnagle’s squad strolls toward Omaha as if they own the town.
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