IT Roundtable: Texas vs. UTEP insights, score predictions, Longhorn football check-in

The Texas Longhorns’ 2025 campaign continues on Saturday when Steve Sarkisian’s program hosts the UTEP Miners.

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The Inside Texas staff goes over exciting players in all three phases, the next steps for the program, and provides a score prediction.

I will walk out feeling good about the Longhorn offense after UTEP if…

Eric Nahlin – They run the ball well in obvious situations and get Ryan Wingo going.

Justin Wells – Arch Manning and Ryan Wingo connect like AT&T. Jerrick Gibson looks strong between the tackles. The offensive front thwarts UTEP’s tackle-for-loss binge.

Ian Boyd – The ball repeatedly finds a suitable home in Ryan Wingo’s hands. If Parker Livingstone and Jack Endries can be consistently great Wingo may not have to be as good as we expected, but he needs to be better than he’s been.

Joe Cook – We see cohesion in both zone and gap running, but I’d settle for one of those finding a groove.

NashTalksTexas – I’m already confident in the offense

Charlie Williams – I see a level of high level of execution and consistency throughout the game.

RT Young – They dominate an inferior opponent and accomplish whatever they’re trying to do on the ground and through the air. Manning and Wingo connecting for a few TDs would be cool too.

Evan Vieth – The offensive line dominates in the run game with their physicality

Paul Wadlington – I see coherent offensive line play, RBs add yardage to what is blocked, and good route adjustments by our wide receivers.

I will walk out feeling good about the Longhorn defense after UTEP if…

Eric Nahlin – They play like they did last week.

Justin Wells – We see Colin Simmons and Lance Jackson sacks, the secondary snags pair of picks, and everyone is healthy!

Ian Boyd – I’m not sure UTEP can change how I feel about the Texas defense. I would expect to see them pick off Malachi Nelson at least once so if that doesn’t happen, I may be mildly alarmed.

Joe Cook – Everyone is healthy. This is a style of offense Texas will see again in the SEC, so getting good reps against a program with lesser talent is going to be valuable.

NashTalksTexas – Nothing I need to see vs UTEP!

Charlie Williams – No mental mistakes and created at least three turnovers

RT Young – Their standard is maintained.

Evan Vieth – It’s business as usual. Maybe a few sacks would be nice, too.

Paul Wadlington – Don’t bust anything cheap, turn UTEP into a check down offense, get Malachi Nelson to put the ball in peril with some zone disguise, tackle well in space on their little guys.

I will walk out feeling good about the Longhorn special teams after UTEP if…

Eric Nahlin – I don’t see any mental errors, whether penalties or decisions to field or return punts.

Justin Wells – We don’t see the punter and the kicker is stuck kicking extra points.

Ian Boyd – I’d like to see some big plays in the punt return game, either with literal returns or a block. Jack Bouwmeester is clearly a stud and Ryan Niblett seems to have solid hands, but I’d like to see the Longhorns block one or get a big return.

Joe Cook – Ryan Niblett and Mason Shipley have good yet forgettable games.

NashTalksTexas – We see some long distance makes from Mason Shipley

Charlie Williams – We see no penalties, an actual return game, and win the field position battle

RT Young – They play a clean game.

Evan Vieth – They break out an explosive run on a kick or punt return

Paul Wadlington – We create any kind of value add at all? Let’s get this going. We have too many high level young athletes for these special teams not to impact games.

One offensive and defensive player you’re most excited to see in action after the results of the first two weeks of the season

Eric Nahlin – I love Jack Endries and I want the world to know! On defense I want to see Colin Simmons settle into being Colin Simmons.

Justin Wells – More Jack Endries. His presence can really give this offense a boost. More Kobe Black. He’s grading high and playing solid ball on his side of the ball.

Ian Boyd – I want to see more of Ryan Niblett on offense, or Daylan McCutcheon, in hopes of seeing Texas find some depth at inside receiver. If they found a breakout star that’d be even better. Defensively I was impressed by Trey Moore’s snaps at inside linebacker and would like to see more of that.

Joe Cook – Daylan McCutcheon and Xavier Filsaime. McCutcheon is going to have some great opportunities in the next couple of weeks. I think Filsaime has put some good reps together and is building toward a bright future.

NashTalksTexas – Ryan Wingo and Ty’Anthony Smith.

Charlie Williams – Daylon McCutcheon and Kade Phillips.

RT Young – Daylan McCutcheon and Ty’Anthony Smith

Evan Vieth – Daylan McCutcheon and Lance Jackson.

Paul Wadlington – Daylan McCutcheon. Really, any of our young WRs. I’d be very tempted to put them all in on the 3rd series of the game and see what’s up. It would really help if the score was 14-0 Texas when we did it. I’d like to figure out if any can help us right now. Defensively, I’m a Ty’Anthony Smith fan. The guy just has it. I’d love to see 35-40 snaps.

Score prediction

Eric Nahlin – 41-6, Texas

Justin Wells – 40-7, Texas

Ian Boyd – 41-6, Texas

Joe Cook – 49-3, Texas

NashTalksTexas – 45-10, Texas

Charlie Williams – 45-3, Texas

RT Young – 40-9, Texas

Evan Vieth – 56-10, Texas

Paul Wadlington – 45-6, Texas. UTEP scores 3 safeties. We kick 15 field goals.