Note: This story is featured in the 2026 edition of Dave Campbell's Texas Football's Summer Magazine, which you can order here.

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BEHIND ENEMY LINES  

It feels like (Phil) Longo should get a pass for 2025. No home games. No money. Didn’t get there until most of the portal players were scooped up and combed through. But none of that is true in 2026 and he’ll start getting heat if they don’t turn it around. They were awful last year.  

The roster is leaps and bounds better than last year but will the coaching be good enough to get them to six or seven wins, which is what Longo needs to have? Funny enough for a Longo led team, the offense might be a bigger question (heading into 2026), especially if Locke doesn’t take a step forward.  

Following a legend is never easy and that’s exactly what K.C. Keeler is at Sam Houston. They’ll expect a 2024 type turnaround and I’m not sure that coaching staff can deliver it.  

SCHEDULE AND PREDICTIONS  

Sept. 5 at Troy L 

Sept. 12 Tulsa L 

Sept. 19 Nicholls W 

Sept. 26 at Texas Tech L 

Oct. 1 New Mexico State W 

Oct. 8 at Liberty L 

Oct. 17 IDLE 

Oct. 20 at Missouri State W 

Oct. 27 Western Kentucky L 

Nov. 7 at FIU W 

Nov. 14 Kennesaw State L 

Nov. 21 at Jacksonville State L 

Nov. 28 Middle Tennessee L 

Record: 4-8 (3-5)  

BIGGEST GAME – Nov. 21 at Jacksonville State  

The Gravy Bowl continues for a fourth straight year as the Bearkats try to knock off rival Jacksonville State for the first time as an FBS program. Jax State’s margin of victory in the three previous meetings was 6.33 after last season’s 29-27 triumph in Houston.  

TRAP GAME – Sept. 19 vs. Nicholls  

Sam Houston needs to win at least one of its non-conference matchups and the safest bet is a home game against FCS Nicholls. Finding a trap game for a team that went 2-10 last season isn’t easy, but the contest with Nicholls is a week before a trip to Texas Tech and could easily be overlooked.  

UPSET ALERT – Nov. 14 vs. Kennesaw State  

The Bearkats host the defending Conference USA champions in mid-November with a chance to pull the upset. Kennesaw State hosts Western Kentucky the week before in what could be a consequential showdown between two of the CUSA favorites. Maybe Sam Houston can steal one at home late in the year.  

BEST CASE/WORST CASE 

Best Case: 8-4  

Upward mobility isn’t impossible in Conference USA and the Bearkats take advantage behind QB Landyn Locke and an improved defense. Head coach Phil Longo has a roster constructed in his image after enjoying a full offseason and home games on campus create a real advantage for Sam Houston.   

Worst Case: 2-10  

Sam Houston heads into Conference USA battered and bruised after a non-conference road trip to Texas Tech in late September and never recovers during a crowded and unpredictable Conference USA slate. QB Landyn Locke and the offense don’t take a step forward and neither does the defense.   

2025 RESULTS  

Aug. 23 at WKU L 41-24 

Aug. 29 UNLV L 38-21 

Sept. 6 at Hawaii L 37-20 

Sept. 20 at Texas L 55-0 

Oct. 2 at New Mexico State L 37-10 

Oct. 9 Jax State L 29-27 

Oct. 15 UTEP L 35-17 

Oct. 31 at La Tech L 55-14 

Nov. 8 at Oregon State W 21-17 

Nov. 15 at Delaware W 26-23 

Nov. 22 at Middle Tennessee State L 31-17 

Nov. 29 FIU L 56-16