The Texas State Bobcats haven’t won more than four games since 2014, and have only twice surpassed that mark in their short FBS history. Can the hire of G.J. Kinne change around the fortunes of the college football program? Our Texas State season predictions hold the answers.
Texas State Season Predictions: Predicting the Game-By-Game Results
Using groupthink, College Football Network analysts have painstakingly gone through every game for every team in the Sun Belt and across the country.
Find Every Sun Belt Season Prediction per team: App State | Arkansas State | Coastal Carolina | Georgia Southern | Georgia State | JMU | Louisiana | UL-Monroe | Marshall | ODU | South Alabama | Southern Miss | Texas State | Troy
Picking these games straight up with a projected score using the rosters as up-to-date as the last spring practice, how do the Texas State season predictions look for 2023?
Week 1 – Texas State at Baylor: Loss, 15-27
It’s a tough start to Kinne’s tenure with a trip up the I-35N to Waco for a clash with a Baylor Bears team looking to reassert themselves in the Big 12. The Bobcats have never beaten the Bears, and the presence of a strong Baylor backfield should ensure that run continues in Week 1 of the 2023 season.
Week 2 – Texas State at UTSA: Loss, 11-34
With the return of quarterback Frank Harris and a plethora of pass-catchers that should withstand the portal departure of leading WR Zakhari Franklin, UTSA continues to be one of the dominant forces in Group of Five football. A solid defense should help keep the Bobcats in check in San Antonio.
Week 3 – Texas State vs. Jackson State: Win, 22-19
After a rough start to their 2023 college football season schedule, Texas State returns home to San Marcos where there’s the potential to pick up their first win of the season. Jackson State’s roster was gutted with the departure of Deion Sanders, and although there are still playmakers on either side of the ball, the Bobcats should have enough to win a close one in Week 3.
Week 4 – Texas State vs. Nevada: Win, 24-20
Texas State gave Nevada one of their two wins last fall and will be primed for revenge when they welcome the Wolf Pack to San Marcos. Nevada lost their best player on both sides of the ball this offseason, and while they added some playmakers from the portal, those losses combined with a lack of QB certainty bring a second win to our Texas State season predictions.
MORE: Texas State QB Malik Hornsby Relishing ‘Opportunity’ To Showcase Talent with Bobcats
Week 5 – Texas State at Southern Miss: Win, 24-20
It’s three wins on the bounce in our Texas State season predictions as the Bobcats begin to find their feet under Kinne. Their up-tempo offense should prove too much for a Southern Miss team that will rely heavily on Frank Gore Jr. this year.
Week 6 – Texas State at Louisiana: Loss, 20-25
The Bobcats have lost nine straight matchups to the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns, and our Texas State season predictions forecast a continuation of that run. While Louisiana isn’t the Sun Belt superpower it once was, home-field advantage and a stronger defensive roster could be contributing factors in a close game.
Week 7 – Texas State vs. Louisiana-Monroe: Win, 22-18
These two teams played a close game in Monroe last season, with the Bobcats coming out on the losing end. Despite being at a seven-game disadvantage in the head-to-head history, this will be a game earmarked on the Texas State calendar as a “must-win.” Our season predictions suggest they will.
Week 9 – Texas State vs. Troy: Loss, 15-23
The only time Texas State has beaten Troy in their 12-game head-to-head history was in San Marcos. It was also more than 25 years ago, and sadly, the Trojans are just too strong defensively for the Bobcats to score enough points to overcome the reigning Sun Belt champions.
Week 10 – Texas State vs. Georgia Southern: Loss, 16-32
Although Texas State added several potential starters on defense via the transfer portal, the Bobcats’ pass defense was one of the worst in the Sun Belt last fall. They’ve given up an average of 39 points in their last two clashes with Georgia Southern, and they didn’t even face their high-volume passing attack last fall.
Week 11 – Texas State at Coastal Carolina: Loss, 27-29
The last time Coastal Carolina came to San Marcos, C.J. Marable rushed for 157 yards and three touchdowns, while Grayson McCall averaged 10.8 adjusted air yards per attempt. Marable is no longer there, but an impressive backfield remains. Meanwhile, McCall’s return after a flirtation with the transfer portal gives the Chanticleers the edge in this Week 11 clash.
MORE: Coastal Carolina Coaching Staff 2023
Week 12 – Texas State at Arkansas State: Win, 26-23
Here it is, win number five for Texas State in the 2023 college football season. Arkansas State hasn’t beaten the Bobcats in the last three seasons, and there’s nothing to suggest that win won’t be extended through this season.
New QB Malik Hornsby gives Texas State the edge in this closely fought road win, which cements the Bobcats’ best season in years.
Week 13 – Texas State vs. South Alabama: Loss, 19-27
Rounding out our Texas State season predictions is a tough season finale against South Alabama. As our projected winners of the West division, Bobcats fans shouldn’t be too disheartened by a loss to a Jaguars team that should challenge for the Sun Belt title in their third season under head coach Kane Wommack.
