Texas Longhorns vs Sam Houston Bearkats Picks and Predictions September 20th 2025

Texas Longhorns vs Sam Houston Bearkats September 20th 2025

In Week 4 of the 2025 college football season, the Sam Houston Bearkats travel to Austin, Texas, to take on the Texas Longhorns. The game is set for Saturday, September 20, 2025, at 8:00 PM at Darrell K. Royal Texas Memorial Stadium. Fans can catch the action on the SEC network.

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The Bearkats come into this game with a 0-3 record, struggling both at home and on the road. Meanwhile, the Longhorns hold a 2-1 record and have been strong at home with a 2-0 record. Texas ranks #8 in the AP Poll and #7 in the Coaches Poll, adding to the excitement of this matchup.

Sam Houston vs Texas CFB Key Information

• Sport: College Football
• Teams: Sam Houston Bearkats vs. Texas Longhorns
• Venue: Darrell K. Royal Texas Memorial Stadium, Austin, TX
• Date: Saturday, September 20, 2025
• Betting Odds: Sam Houston Moneyline +8000, Sam Houston Spread +39.5 (-107), Texas Spread -39.5 (-112), Total Over 51.5 (-111), Total Under 51.5 (-109)

Texas hosts Sam Houston in final nonconference test

The Texas Longhorns look to fine-tune their offense before beginning SEC play when they welcome the Sam Houston Bearkats to Austin on Saturday. Texas (2-1) hasn’t quite clicked offensively behind Arch Manning despite back-to-back home wins, while Sam Houston (0-3) is searching for its first victory of the season. With Texas still favored by more than five touchdowns, bettors following college football picks will weigh whether the Longhorns can finally deliver a dominant cover.

Betting Odds and Trends

The Sam Houston Bearkats Can Win If…

The Sam Houston Bearkats showed some positives despite a 37-20 loss to Hawaii. They produced 19 first downs and avoided turnovers in the run game, gaining 89 yards on the ground. If they can sustain drives, limit penalties, and finish possessions, they can slow the pace against a deeper Texas roster.

Defensively, Sam Houston has quietly been disruptive, ranking ninth nationally in sacks and top three in both interceptions and fumbles recovered. That opportunistic defense could force Arch Manning into mistakes if the pass rush breaks through. Creating short fields for the offense will be their best chance at generating points.

Quarterback Hunter Watson (310 yards passing) and running back Elijah Green (76 rushing yards) need to maximize every possession. With kicker RJ Lopez reliable from range, capitalizing on scoring opportunities—even field goals—will help the Bearkats stay competitive.

The Texas Longhorns Can Win If…

The Texas Longhorns must clean up their offensive execution. Against UTEP, they managed 227 rushing yards and 114 passing yards from Arch Manning, but efficiency has been lacking. Manning has six passing touchdowns and three rushing scores but is completing just over 55% of his passes with three interceptions. A sharper performance through the air will be essential.

Texas’ defense has carried the load, ranking 17th nationally in points allowed and forcing three interceptions. At home against a struggling Sam Houston offense, that unit should dominate and give Manning plenty of chances to find rhythm.

Even without injured running back CJ Baxter, Texas still has depth in the backfield. Wide receiver Parker Livingstone (198 yards, 3 TDs) has emerged as Manning’s top target. If the Longhorns establish balance and limit self-inflicted mistakes, they’ll control the game from start to finish.

The Lean

Texas is favored by 39.5, and while they haven’t covered their last three spreads, this could be the week they put it all together. Sam Houston has struggled against FBS competition and lacks the depth to hold up for four quarters in Austin. A projected score of 45-3 supports Texas -39.5.

The total of 51.5 hinges on whether Sam Houston contributes offensively. With the Bearkats averaging just 20 points and facing Texas’ stout defense, the under appears stronger. A projection of 48 total points backs the under 51.5.

Game Preview Recap

Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian stressed that offensive issues are “very fixable” after a 27-10 win over UTEP. Manning acknowledged his frustration but emphasized that keeping energy and confidence high will help the offense “start clicking.” With the SEC slate looming, this is Texas’ last chance to build rhythm against a lighter opponent.

Sam Houston comes off a bye week, but quarterback play remains unsettled between Mabrey Mettauer, Hunter Watson, and Landyn Locke. Mettauer started against Hawaii, passing for 91 yards and rushing for 35 but also throwing a costly interception. Head coach Phil Longo has kept the rotation open, calling it an “iron-sharpens-iron” competition.

The Longhorns and Bearkats have met just once before, in 2006, when Texas won 56-3 in Austin. Saturday’s game marks a chance for Texas to re-establish dominance, while Sam Houston hopes to show progress against elite competition.

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