Texas State Bobcats

Texas State's offense under GJ Kinne was expected to pick up where it left off, but the first two weeks were a struggle. The Bobcats managed just 7 points and 150 passing yards against Texas, then 26 points with two interceptions from Brad Jackson against UTSA. The breakthrough came in Week 3 against North Texas, when Jackson threw four touchdown passes and Torrance Burgess Jr. ran for 214 yards in a 49-35 win. That sparked a stretch of four straight games with at least 29 points, including a 63-10 rout of Incarnate Word and a 66-27 demolition of Colorado State in which Texas State set a school record with 503 rushing yards and 716 total yards. Burgess (224 yards, four touchdowns) and Jackson (181 rushing yards, three scores) led the way. The offense now looks like the unit that averaged 36.5 points per game over the previous three seasons, and it is trending up.

New coordinator Will Windham was brought in to fix a defense that had plagued Texas State for years, but the results have been mixed. The Bobcats allowed 59 points to Texas in the opener, then blew a fourth-quarter lead against UTSA, surrendering the go-ahead touchdown with 14 seconds left. Against North Texas, they gave up 35 points at home. Even in the Incarnate Word blowout, the defense allowed 10 points to an FCS opponent. The low point came at San Diego State, where the Aztecs scored on a 96-yard kickoff return and a 32-yard pick-six, and Texas State lost 31-29 despite allowing only 31 points. The defense has shown flashes, but it still struggles to get stops in critical moments and has yet to prove it can close out games consistently. With only three of the top six tacklers from 2025 returning, the unit remains the biggest question mark.

Quarterback Brad Jackson has been the engine of the offense, but his decision-making has been inconsistent. He threw two interceptions against UTSA and two more against San Diego State, including a pick-six that swung the game. In the first two weeks, he was held under 200 passing yards in each game. However, he has also shown elite playmaking: he threw five first-half touchdown passes against Incarnate Word and ran for a career-high 181 yards and three scores against Colorado State. His ability to extend plays with his legs adds a dimension that defenses struggle to contain. If Jackson can cut down on turnovers and protect the ball, the offense becomes even more dangerous. His development in that area will be crucial for Texas State's chances in Pac-12 play.

Senior running back Torrance Burgess Jr. has been a revelation in the backfield. After a solid 149-yard performance against UTSA, he exploded for 214 yards against North Texas and followed that with 140 yards on just nine carries against Incarnate Word. He then set career highs with 224 yards and four touchdowns in the win over Colorado State. Burgess has become the focal point of the running game, giving the offense balance and taking pressure off Brad Jackson. His vision and burst have been on full display, and he has consistently produced even when the passing game struggled early. As the season progresses, Burgess will remain a key weapon and a reliable option to control the clock and close out games.

Special teams have been a mixed bag. Kicker Dylan Cunanan, a transfer from Toledo, has been solid on field goals, but the punt team had a punt blocked against San Diego State, and the kickoff coverage allowed a 96-yard return for a touchdown in the same game. The return game has some promise with Jaylen Jenkins, who led the Sun Belt in kickoff return average in 2025, but he has not yet broken a big return this season. Situational football has also been an issue: the defense has struggled to hold leads, and the offense has had turnovers in critical moments. The Bobcats have been involved in several close games decided in the fourth quarter, and their ability to execute in crunch time will determine whether they can contend in the Pac-12. Cleaning up these details is essential for a strong finish.