AUSTIN (KXAN) — It’s the start of the end for the Texas Longhorns and also its Big 12 Conference challengers.
The No. 3 Longhorns start their last Big 12 routine on Saturday in Waco versus Baylor, and also if any person connected with the group hasn’t completely “embraced the hate” yet, currently looks like a great time to begin as the Texas/Big 12 farewell tour leaves the terminal.
(*12*) Texas head instructor Steve Sarkisian stated. “It’s been well documented that, as of right now, it’s the last time we’ll play Baylor. We can’t be fearful of the environment we’re walking into.”
While reasonably risk-free inside DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium and also at the Cotton Bowl for the Red River Rivalry, when Texas goes on the roadway, anticipate greater than Horns Down signals from opposing followers and also groups.
Texas obtains both Kansas colleges in your home, to make sure that’s an and also, and also leaves the Lone Star State just when in meeting play Nov. 18 when they most likely to Ames to deal with Iowa State. That’s the tail end of a back-to-back roadway slate with a journey to Fort Worth the week prior to.
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Even with Houston being a Big 12 novice, followers are bound to obtain a little brawler when the Horns turn up Oct. 21.
“We have to embrace it,” Sarkisian stated. “With all these historical games coming to an end, now more than ever are there Horns Down, the ‘Who cares about Texas?’ and let’s take one more shot at them. We can’t be a punching bag and we have to be in attack mode.”
In his Monday interview, Baylor head instructor Dave Aranda stated throughout the offseason, he was continuously informed by to “just win one game, please.” It does not take much to find out who that video game’s challenger is.
“That has been brought up to me multiple times,” Aranda stated. “We’re going to talk about the history of the rivalry and some of the games in the past because that’s important with something like that.”
The colleges have actually played each various other 112 times given that very first conference in 1901.
Would the Longhorns want to play any one of the old Big 12 adversaries in nonconference video games after the relocate to the SEC? That’s difficult, Sarkisian stated, and also he does not truly have much of a say in it. He stated he identifies the competitions with the Texas colleges and also just how rooted in practice they are and also stated “it would be great for the State of Texas” if they proceeded in some way, however at the very same time, he’s just concerned concerning the 12 groups on his routine each year.
“Some of that is obviously out of my control with what we do there,” he stated. “I think one of the challenges would be if you play one of them, then the others are upset. There’s that trickle-down effect.”
He explained that with the relocate to the SEC the competition with Texas A&M is restored, so there’s a silver lining in the respect.
Baylor QB Blake Shapen out versus Longhorns
Coming off a 30-7 sway FCS Long Island University, the Bears will certainly once more lack beginning quarterback Blake Shapen. He endured a knee injury in the group’s 42-31 loss to Texas State in the period opener, and also he attempted to play via it, however ultimately back-up Sawyer Robertson took control of.
Shapen remained versus No. 11 Utah in Week 2 together with recently versus the Sharks, and also Aranda stated Monday he’s still on the fix.
“Blake is still probably a week out,” Aranda stated. “I’m not anticipating or expecting Blake in this game.”
Robertson will certainly once again be the signal-caller for the Bears today, and also in two-plus video games of activity this year, he’s 28-for-62 masquerading 444 lawns with a goal and also 3 interceptions.
