Football season arrived in full force Saturday with each of Texas’ 12 FBS schools in action. The group went 9-3 collectively, with two of those losses (Houston and Texas State) coming against in-state competition. The only loss suffered by an in-state FBS school was Rice’s 38-17 loss to Arkansas, and even the Owls entered the fourth quarter of that contest tied at 17 with the Razorbacks heading into the fourth quarter. 

The Longhorns looked formidable in Steve Sarkisian’s first game in charge. Texas A&M slept through the first half in its win over Kent State before turning it on in the second half. Baylor and Texas Tech beat in-state teams, while TCU rolled past Duquesne.  

Welcome to the first addition of the 411. A weekly piece dedicated to informing the reader about the information gained during the college football weekend. The article will include four truths, one question and one prediction.  

Four truths 

Texas passed its first test: Texas fans should remain measured in their optimism for the 2021 season. There were a few concerns following the game, specifically the offensive line, but a 20-point win over ranked team loaded with experience in the burnt orange coaching debut of Sarkisian is a great sign. Tom Herman’s Longhorns played down to competition. Texas, at least on Saturday, looked like a team that knew it held a significant talent advantage.  

The defense fired on all cylinders and freshman quarterback Hudson Card looked as calm as he did when he led the Lake Travis offense. Add in 100-yard performances by running back Bijan Robinson and wide receiver Jordan Whittington, and the Longhorns should feel pretty good about themselves ahead of a trip to Arkansas to face a future SEC opponent.  

The Roadrunners are for real: Let’s get this out of the way: Yes, I am in a graduate of UTSA and yes, I worshipped at the altar of head coach Jeff Traylor when he was dominating high school football in East Texas. There are even Twitter receipts from me suggesting he get hired back when UTSA elected on Frank Wilson. Still, even a cynic can’t deny that UTSA continues to take steps forward under the new regime. The Roadrunners went on the road to beat Illinois 37-30 on Saturday night. The same Illinois that routed Nebraska on national television the week before. It was the second win for UTSA over a Power Five squad, but this felt much bigger than the 2017 win over Baylor.  

Texas Tech showed maturity: Texas Tech head coach Matt Wells entered the 2021 season with his seat warmer on. The first quarter of the eventual win over Houston probably caused some heart burn in Lubbock, but the grit the team showed in the comeback victory gives Wells a benchmark for the maturation of the Red Raiders football program. Simply put, this was a game Texas Tech loses in previous years. The Red Raider offense faced a 14-0 deficit before it even touched the football. After the first quarter, Texas Tech outscored Houston 38-7. Wells elected to inject experience and mental toughness into the program by raiding the transfer portal, and at least for one night, it looked like a plan coming together.  

SMU found its heir apparent: The Mustangs needed to find a quarterback with Shane Buechele moving on after two stellar years leading SMU. Buechele, who started 23 games over the last two seasons, compiled more than 7,000 passing yards and 60 total touchdowns during that time. That is a lot of offensive production to replace.  

Enter Tanner Mordecai. The former Waco Midway product and Oklahoma Sooner transfer broke a school record in his first start as a Mustang, passing for seven touchdowns in the 56-9 win over Abilene Christian. It was Mordecai’s first start since his high school days in 2017.  

One question  

Can we learn anything about Texas A&M prior to Oct. 9?  

Texas A&M slept walked through the first half of its 41-10 win over Kent State. The Aggies had the ball five times in the first half, and were never forced to punt on those series. Yet, A&M only scored 10 points in those five possessions thanks to a turnover on downs and two interceptions in the first college start for quarterback Haynes King.  

Texas A&M is considered the best college football team in Texas, and that might be true, but I’m not sure any of us can gleam any real information from its performances until the Oct. 9 showdown in College Station against Alabama. Prior to that game, the Aggies’ schedule includes Colorado, New Mexico, Arkansas and Mississippi State. A national championship contender should dispatch with the programs with relative ease.  

One prediction 

Rice picks a starter at quarterback  

Rice’s Wiley Green became the seventh different opening day starter at quarterback in the last seven years for the Owls. That lack of consistency is not good for a program. The last time the Owls started the same quarterback for the opener in consecutive years came in 2015 with Driphus Jackson under center. Green was solid in the loss, completing 12 of his 25 passing attempts for 152 yards and a touchdown, but his three interceptions leave the door open for transfer Luke McCaffrey.  

McCaffrey entered the game for the third offensive possession for Rice, and the two quarterbacks were used throughout the 38-17 loss at Arkansas. Some folks might believe in a two-quarterback system. I don’t. For Rice to find any sort of consistency on offense, one of those guys needs to become the man, even if it means some lumps are taken along the way. McCaffrey went 5-of-10 for 75 yards, and he’s more a runner than Green. Green is more experienced and probably the better passer.