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Big 12 football: 3 must-watch games for week 2

By Jacob Milham

Sep 4, 2021; Austin, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns quarterback Hudson Card (1) throws a pass against the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns in the first half at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 4, 2021; Austin, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns quarterback Hudson Card (1) throws a pass against the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns in the first half at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-USA TODAY Sports /
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Running back Bijan Robinson jumps over a defender during Texas's game against Louisiana at Darrell K. Royal Stadium on Sept. 4, 2021. Texas won the game 38-18.
Running back Bijan Robinson jumps over a defender during Texas’s game against Louisiana at Darrell K. Royal Stadium on Sept. 4, 2021. Texas won the game 38-18.Aem Ut Louisiana 40 /

The Texas Longhorns started off strong with a win over another AP Top 25 team. Going against a soon-to-be conference foe, can the Longhorns prove themselves a contender?

The Week 1 win over the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns was a statement by Texas. They not only beat another ranked team, but did so soundly behind a stout defense and flashy offense. Freshman quarterback Hudson Card looked unfazed, throwing for 224 yards and two scores, while the rushing game racked up 170 yards on the ground. The first half looked close, with Texas leading 14-6. The second half was a different story, with a final score of 38-18.

With their dominant performance, the Longhorns rose to No. 15 in the AP Top 25 for Week 2. Following the win against Louisana, first-year head coach Steve Sarkisian will look to continue the winning ways against the Arkansas Razorbacks.

While the Razorbacks are not the Top 25 competition, the scenario of the game does provide Texas with new challenges. Second-year head coach Sam Pittman led Arkansas to instant improvement in 2020 and has the Razorback faithful energized in 2021. The fans have bought every ticket for Saturday’s game against Texas, the first sell-out since 2017.

Texas traveling to an SEC school with a sold-out crowd can and will cause some problems during the game. Whether it be Card’s inexperience or Sarkisian’s scheme, the crowd and setting will be a big test of how far Texas can go.

Similar to the previous matchup, the run game will be a deciding factor in this game. Texas features one of the most prolific rushing attacks in the country, while Arkansas held their Week 1 opponent to 81 rushing yards all game. This game’s outcome may rest squarely on Card’s shoulders.

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