Texas Longhorns

Texas vs Cal: Week 3 Schedule, Preview, and Prediction

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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After their fast 2-0 start, Texas football is poised to regain their place among college football’s elite. Next up, they face their first road test of the season against the 1-1 Cal Bears.

Where to watch

Saturday, September 17, 9:30 PM CT, ESPN

What to Watch For

Texas has answered every challenge so far in their early season schedule. Now, they go on the road for the first time to take on one of the most aggressive offenses in the country.

Cal ranks No. 2 in the nation for passing offense and No. 3 in total offense. Davis Webb has been a quick study in Sonny Dykes’ Bear Raid offense. The graduate transfer senior is second in the nation in passing, averaging 481.5 yards and 4.5 touchdowns per game. Webb is going to throw early and often, testing the secondary of the Longhorns, which ranks No. 100 in college football for opposing quarterback rating.

On the other side of the ball, Cal’s defense is atrocious against the run. The Bears rank No. 125 in the nation, allowing 291 yards per game on the ground. Texas has a bruising backfield combination with the Smash Brothers, D’Onta Foreman and Chris Warren, and the 18-Wheeler package with Tyrone Swoopes that should take advantage of Cal’s rushing defense. If the Bears try and cheat up extra defenders in the box, expect Shane Buechele to go over the top.

Last season, Cal won a wild game in Austin 45-44 when the Horns missed a late extra point. That game was a back-and-forth track meet with Cal scoring 31 straight points between the second and third quarters before Texas nearly rallied with the final 20 points of the game.

At the end of the day, this game will come down to whichever defense steps up more. The Longhorns have a ton of potential on the defensive side of the ball just waiting to put it all together. Will they get it done in Memorial Stadium?

Keys to Victory

Prediction

Texas is a seven point favorite in this game. They have the momentum, the skill, and the game plan to find success on the road. Can they overcome the curse of Pac-12 After Dark to secure a big win on the road?

Texas 56, Cal 38