The Longhorn Republic

Wescott Eberts and Cameron Parker evaluate the Big 12 teams as we approach Week 5 and play "Stock up, Stock down" (1:30) with each team, including Kansas! Then they wrap up with thoughts on Max Duggan's success against Texas and the RB battle between Zach Evans and Bijan Robinson on Saturday (28:00).

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Texas Longhorns face yet another tough test early in the season, heading into Fort Worth to try and knock off the TCU Horned Frogs - something they haven't managed to do since 2013. The Longhorns bring one of the top offenses in the country into the matchup - trying to capitalize on the generational talent they have at running back with Bijan Robinson and the newfound offensive success under quarterback Casey Thompson. TCU has struggled defensively but could take a major step forward defensively after key pieces of that unit return from injury.

Texas also has to contend in a quarterback that has found a ton of success against its defense in the past in Max Duggan, with the added pressure of defending one of the other top running backs in the country - fellow 2020 commit Zach Evans. With the potential for rainy conditions, it could end up as a battle of attrition decided along the trenches on Saturday.

Connect with the show on Twitter and Facebook.

Intro and Outro: Earth, Wind, Fire (Ryan Little / CC BY-SA 4.0 )

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Texas Longhorns started conference play with a big win over the Texas Tech Red Raiders, scoring 70 points in a game for the first time since 2005, while adding new wrinkles to the offense in the process Quarterback Casey Thompson looks the part of the starting quarterback and seems to have no interest in giving up the role - passing for 303 yards and five touchdowns in the score. He was aided by the rest of that dynamic offense, with Bijan Robinson turning in 191 total offensive yards and Xavier Worthy setting a school record for touchdowns in a game by a freshman.

It wasn't all perfect for Texas, with the defense giving up 21 points on explosive touchdowns - exposing a potential weakness in the secondary. Changes are already coming on the depth chart, but where did the breakdown happen for Texas, and what can change in a week heading into Fort Worth?

Connect with the show on Twitter and Facebook.

Intro and Outro: Earth, Wind, Fire (Ryan Little / CC BY-SA 4.0 )

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In the newest “Winning is Hard” podcast, Wescott Eberts and Cameron Parker react to Steve Sarkisian’s Monday presser following the Longhorns 70-35 victory over Texas Tech.

They also discuss the new expectations for Texas as they prepare for TCU on Saturday and dive into conference play. Wescott also dishes out a prediction for the win/loss record...

They wrap up with a quick word on the 11 a.m. kick-off time for the Red River Rivalry and how it actually might benefit Texas.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Wescott Eberts and Cameron Parker touch on the future of the rivalry between Texas and Texas Tech, the battle in the trenches (02:15), the first real test for the Texas secondary (14:00), Matt Wells' ability to recruit transfers (19:00), and wrap up with more on the future with Tech because who doesn't love Lubbock (21:00).

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Texas Longhorns come out of non-conference play 2-1 and get ready to compete in the Big 12 for the first time under new head coach Steve Sarkisian. Up first is a tough test, the Texas Tech Red Raiders who are coming to town looking a bit different than they have in years past. The Red Raiders are led by their defense, coming off of three solid performances to open the season. They were a few plays away from a much different story, but the defense stepped up when it needed to in order to secure the wins.

However, the Red Raiders will definitely rely on some expected names - SaRodorick Thompson and Eric Ezukanma - to set the pace for their offense as they try to come into Austin and win for the first time in four years. So what do we expect from the Red Raiders and how does Texas match up? Will they be able to play their game against a tough Texas Tech defense?

Connect with the show on Twitter and Facebook.

Intro and Outro: Earth, Wind, Fire (Ryan Little / CC BY-SA 4.0 )

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A week after the ground game faltered against the Arkansas Razorbacks, the Texas Longhorns got their ground game going in spades against the Rice Owls, setting records in the process. Texas had five running backs get significant carries, four of which scored a touchdown and three of them breaking off runs longer than 60 yards. All of that led to a school-record 7.4 yards per carry for the Longhorns in the lopsided win over the Owls. That led to quarterback Casey Thompson looking solidly in command of the offense, completing 15 of his 18 attempts for 164 yards, two scores and an interception.

The defense played for pride late, managing to keep a clean sheet in spite of Rice amassing 31 percent of their total offensive yardage on the final play of the game. The Longhorns did exactly what they needed to defensively in the game, leaned on the Owls early and often - and even ended the game with a sack by freshman DJ Harris. How can Texas translate this success to the kick-off of conference play?

Connect with the show on Twitter and Facebook.

Intro and Outro: Earth, Wind, Fire (Ryan Little / CC BY-SA 4.0 )

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Wescott Eberts and Cameron Parker recap Steve Sarkisian's Monday presser following the Longhorns 58-0 win over Rice. They talk about Sark's comments regarding Hudson Card, Casey Thompson's performance against Rice,

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Wescott Eberts and Cameron Parker talk about the confidence of Casey Thompson as he prepares for his first career start. They also talk about the Longhorns' trouble with communicating on both sides of the ball and how simple the Texas gameplan should be against Rice.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Texas Longhorns need a moment to gather themselves and get back on track after an embarrassing loss to the Arkansas Razorbacks and hopefully, they can do just that against another former SWC rival - the Rice Owls. Rice is struggling to open the season, managing just 24 points in two games as a part of their 0-2 start. They nearly caught lightning in a bottle two weeks ago after leading Arkansas late, but it seems like since the levee broke against the Hogs they have been reeling.

Texas hopes to take advantage of the Owls' struggles en route to righting the ship after their trip to Fayetteville. How will Steve Sarkisian and his coaching staff solve what ails Texas? Who do we think will be the standout players on Saturday and what do we predict for the game?

Connect with the show on Twitter and Facebook.

Intro and Outro: Earth, Wind, Fire (Ryan Little / CC BY-SA 4.0 )

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices