No. 4 Texas opens the season against Colorado State with eyes and expectations already on the CFP

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Starting the season ranked No. 4 as they head into their first season in the Southeastern Conference, the Texas Longhorns are hearing a lot of talk about potential.

It's what coach Steve Sarkisian hears in the locker room heading into Saturday's season opener against Colorado State that he the likes the most.

From quarterback Quinn Ewers and throughout a roster sprinkled with veterans from last year's run to the College Football Playoff, “our culture is their culture. When you just listen to them talk, they speak our language," Sarkisian said.

“Sometimes I feel like they are saying what I've been saying for three or four years," Sarkisian said. "This is a very hungry football team."

After winning last season's Big 12 championship and falling one win short of reaching the national title game, Texas has its highest preseason ranking since 2010.

The Longhorns lost their biggest playmakers of 2023 at running back, wide receiver and on the defensive line, but the ranking demonstrates the roster depth Sarkisian has built over the past three years — and the high expectations of the program as it joins the SEC after 27 seasons in the Big 12. First up are the Rams.

“It's not a rinse and repeat and just do it over again,” Sarkisian said. “It's really important we re-establish our brand, our style of football (Saturday)."

It starts with Ewers, who opted to return to campus this season instead of enter the NFL draft. Ewers has passed for 5,656 yards and 37 touchdowns over 22 games the last two seasons, but also missed several games because of injuries. After dropping below 200 pounds last seasons, Ewers is back to what should be a more durable 210.

“I feel comfortable out there,” Ewers said.

Colorado State is trying to avoid a third consecutive losing season under coach Jay Norvell.

“It’s an opportunity to play a really good football team in a great environment, and we should look forward to that," Norvell said.

Top targets

There should be plenty of passes flying around. Colorado State's Tory Horton is one of the top returning pass catchers from 2023, when he had 96 receptions for 1,136 yards and eight touchdowns. For Texas, Alabama transfer Isaiah Bond figures to be Ewers' top target. The Longhorns lost their top five receivers from 2023. Bond brings speed and a knack for big plays.

Feeling Blue

Jaydon Blue will likely get the most action at running back for the Longhorns. Texas was hit hard with injuries at tailback in training camp with expected starter starter C.J. Baxter and top freshman Christian Kirk lost for the season with injuries. Blue rushed for 398 yards and had 135 yards receiving and scored four touchdowns last season.

Missing Rams

Colorado State starts the season missing two key players. Defensive lineman Nuer Gatkuouth is out for the game with turf toe. He had 53 tackles and a sack last season. Norvell also said 6-foot-8 tight end Jaxxon Warren, a transfer from North Texas, will miss the season after shoulder surgery.

“Obviously, it’s a huge bummer not having one of our guys,” Rams quarterback Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi said of Warren's injury.

Manning watch

The biggest name in backup quarterbacks this season is Arch Manning. Sarkisian predicted everyone on the two-deep depth chart will play in the first half. But he deflected when pressed if that includes Manning. “We'll find out ... Just wait,” he said.

Big man mashup

Colorado State starts start two seniors, a graduate student and a fourth-year junior on the offensive line. Texas lost last season’s dominant defensive playmakers Byron Murphy II and T’Vondre Sweat to the NFL. The Longhorns return seniors Alfred Collins, a former five-star recruit out of high school with a the size (6-foot-5, 320 pounds) to collapse the pocket and stuff the run.

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Jim Vertuno, The Associated Press