It's been a crazy first few weeks of the college football season for the Texas Longhorns. Texas was blown out by Notre Dame in Week 1 and had their athletic director fired earlier this week. Texas has a tough matchup against a California Golden Bears team led by a talented QB in Jared Goff. However, the Longhorns have the talent to win. Here are three why Texas will beat California this weekend.
Home Field Advantage
Not having to travel and playing in front of their home crowd will be a big boost for the Longhorns. Cal hasn't hit the road yet this season and this will be their first true test. Playing in front of a loud crowd will help Texas early in the contest.
Daje Johnson
Johnson has always had the ability to make big plays; he just hasn't always made them. He's had problems staying on the field with discipline issues, but flashed his playmaking ability against Rice, taking a punt return to the house. Johnson is the dynamic playmaker that needs to touch the ball at least 10 times per game, on returns, passes or runs. If Texas does that, Johnson has the ability to produce game-changing plays. The Longhorns will need that against California.
Jerrod Heard
After Tyrone Swoopes struggled mightily against Texas, Heard got the start against Rice. He played well, despite only throwing seven passes. Heard completed four of those, for 120 yards and a score. He also picked up 96 yards on 10 carries. Most importantly, Heard didn't turn the ball over. He added a spark that Texas didn't have with Swoopes at QB. California is a much more challenging test than Rice, but if Heard plays well, Texas will improve to 2-1.
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