New Mexico State vs. Texas: TV Info, Spread, Injury Updates, Game Time and More

The No. 15 Texas Longhorns will open their 2013 slate against a rebuilding New Mexico State program in a season opener that will serve as a tune up for the Longhorns and a litmus test for where the Aggies stand as they begin a new era under head coach Doug Martin. 

Texas is coming off of an encouraging 9-4 campaign in 2012 that ended in an Alamo Bowl victory. With nearly every offensive starter coming back from the unit that averaged 35.7 points per game last season, expectations should be even higher this season. 

For New Mexico State, this is an unfortunate matchup to open up with. The Aggies won their 2012 season opener against Sacramento State, but went on to lose the rest of their games as they finished the season 1-11. 

There's plenty for Aggies fans to look forward to this year. They have a new coach in Doug Martin who is fresh off of a stint as the offensive coordinator at Boston College and will start their first season as an independent after being a member of the Western Athletic Conference from 2005-2012. This game is not one of them. 

Where: Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Texas

When: Saturday, Aug. 31 at 8 p.m. ET

Watch: Longhorn Network

Radio: Free Football Radio

Betting Line (via Bovada)

Over/Under: 58; Spread: Texas -43

Vegas set the over/under fairly high here, but expects Texas to do most of the scoring. With the Longhorns' decision to switch to an up-tempo offense this spring dominating the offseason storylines in Austin, it should be no surprise that this could get out of hand quickly. 

What's surprising here is that Vegas figures New Mexico State will have some success offensively. The Aggies are going to undergo their own offensive facelift this season. Doug Martin's spread offense took New Mexico State's offense to new heights when he was the offensive coordinator in 2011. They averaged 24.5 points per game. 

However, expecting them to score a ton against Texas might lead to disappointment. This is a defensive unit that held the team back by allowing 29.2 points per game last season. That means they'll be looking to prove that their tackling woes are behind them right off the bat this year. 

Injury Report (via USA Today)

Texas

Desmond Harrison, T, Questionable (eligibility)

Bryant Jackson, WR, Questionable (ankle)

Jaxon Shipley, WR, Questionable (hip)

Josh Turner, S, Questionable (hip)

Mike Davis, WR, Questionable (hernia)

Marcus Johnson, WR, Questionable (knee)

New Mexico State

No reported injuries

Texas Player to Watch: David Ash, QB

It's pretty obvious to watch the quarterback, but this is going to be the first game in a crucial season for the Texas signal-caller. While the junior quarterback is usually overlooked, the tools are there for him to be among the top quarterbacks in the Big 12 this season. 

Ash made incredible strides from his freshman season when he threw for four touchdowns to eight interceptions and completed just 56.6 percent of his passes to his sophomore campaign. He threw for 19 touchdowns and eight interceptions while upping his completion percentage to an accurate 67.3. 

With the up-tempo offense now in place, his continued development becomes even more important. He's going to have to show that he has a firm grasp on the playbook and can keep things going. 

Obviously New Mexico State's defense doesn't have the athletes to matchup with Texas, but this is his first opportunity to show he can shine in the modified system. 

New Mexico State Player to Watch: Andrew McDonald, QB

McDonald is the player to watch on the Aggies for many of the same reasons that Ash is the most intriguing Texas player in this game. He's going to be in charge of leading a new up-tempo look on offense. 

Doug Martin will be looking to utilize a dual-threat quarterback in his offense and it paved the way for McDonald to land the job in fall camp. Last year's starter, Andrew Manley left after a sophomore season in which he threw for 18 touchdowns and 11 interceptions last season. 

Now McDonald, who was the team's third quarterback last season, will be put in charge of improving upon those numbers. 

Prediction: Texas 52, NMSU 3

The Longhorns blew out New Mexico State's in-state rival, New Mexico, 45-0 in Week 2 last year. Expect this game to look a whole lot like that. Texas has too much to prove this season to take the week off and will be looking to patch up any remaining issues schematically before going on to the tougher parts of the schedule.