Five games that will shape the Texas football season

These games will define the Longhorns’ season.

Steve Sarkisian begins a crucial second season as head coach at Texas. And while some consider the team a year away from conference title contention, winning this season could do wonders for program trajectory.

A number of games have significant bearing on how this season will unfold. Some games figure to be physical slugfests, while others could be track meets.

In recent years, Texas hasn’t had any trouble playing up to elite competition. The Longhorns built early leads against the top three Big 12 teams last season. Often times, Texas has been caught off guard by lesser teams.

Last year, Texas famously dropped a home game to Kansas. They aim try to avoid that fate this season.

Here are the five games that will determine what kind of season Texas has, in sequential order.