Texas Football: 3 reasons Longhorns will beat LSU in Week 2

AUSTIN, TX - SEPTEMBER 08: Head coach Tom Herman of the Texas Longhorns leads the team on to the field before the game against the Tulsa Golden Hurricane at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on September 8, 2018 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
AUSTIN, TX - SEPTEMBER 08: Head coach Tom Herman of the Texas Longhorns leads the team on to the field before the game against the Tulsa Golden Hurricane at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on September 8, 2018 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /
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AUSTIN, TX – SEPTEMBER 08: Head coach Tom Herman of the Texas Longhorns leads the team on to the field before the game against the Tulsa Golden Hurricane at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on September 8, 2018 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
AUSTIN, TX – SEPTEMBER 08: Head coach Tom Herman of the Texas Longhorns leads the team on to the field before the game against the Tulsa Golden Hurricane at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on September 8, 2018 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /

Texas football plays host to LSU on Saturday in a battle of top-10 teams with playoff aspirations. What does Texas have to do to pull out a win?

At the end of last season’s bowl game, quarterback Sam Ehlinger made the statement that Texas was back. Their marquee game on national television this Saturday will give them every opportunity to prove that statement to be true.

LSU has been rebuilding their program with Ed Orgeron at the helm and they look poised to make a return to greatness as well. Joe Burrows and the guys in yellow will be making the trip from Baton Rouge looking for a statement win themselves.

Both of these teams are using this game as the proving ground to show the world that they belong in the conversation of elite programs in college football.

Only one can win, and these three reasons are why I believe Texas will be victorious.

3. Sam Ehlinger

Sam Ehlinger took Texas to heights they haven’t seen since the days of Colt McCoy last season. They topped SEC perennials Georgia in the Sugar Bowl down in Louisiana of all places. He looked to continue his fine play by completing almost 74 percent against Louisiana Tech, tallying four touchdowns.

Sam spread the ball around to seven different receivers. Three receivers had more than 50 yards receiving and those three also had at least one touchdown. Not keying on one single receiver will make it more difficult to defend the passing game for LSU.

The offensive line for Texas is suspect but I don’t look for that to be an issue. I think the game plan that Tom Herman brings for LSU will be all about getting the ball out fast. Ehlinger won’t be able to sit in the pocket and throw the ball downfield. Lucky for Texas, he has multiple Senior receivers who will be able to get separation off the line of scrimmage.