Texas Football Schedule 2011: What to Know for Each Game

College football is in the air, and the anticipation of the 2011-2012 season is palpable.

Texas began its two-a-day workouts on Friday, and the position battles and understanding of new offensive and defensive schemes are just getting started.

With close to four weeks until the Longhorns' Sept. 3 season kickoff against Rice, there are still a number of lingering questions from both the previous campaign and the spring and summer camps.

But as the schedule is broken down, there are several key components that can make or break the rebound year for Mack Brown's team.

Let's take a look at the 2011-2012 Texas campaign.

Sept. 3: Rice

The long-awaited and highly anticipated 2011 season opener will have Texas fans on the edge of their seats.

After the 5-7 finish in 2010, the start of the rebound year begins against Rice. The Longhorns' sideline will be under heavy scrutiny with the flurry of new coaches brought in by Mack Brown.

Bryan Harsin, the offensive coordinator, and Manny Diaz, the defensive coordinator, headline the changes for what is an entirely new face to the Texas program.

This game likely will be less about overcoming Rice and more about discovering an identity as a team, something that was sorely missed a season ago.

There is no question that the Horns vastly outmatch the Owls based on talent, but "hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard," as Kevin Durant once said.

Texas' new offensive and defensive schemes will be under the microscope as the entire nation eyes a reformed Longhorns program.

What to know: Texas opens a new box of toys and breaks them in thoroughly against an in-state opponent.

Sept. 10: BYU

The Horns will face a stiffer test in their second week of play when they host BYU.

There's no doubt that Texas will have some kinks to unwind and problems to remedy during the week leading up to its matchup with the Cougars. This week and the next will be an adjustment period for the Longhorns before opening up Big 12 play.

The traditionally successful BYU program had its own version of a meltdown in 2010, finishing 7-6 after a seemingly effortless smashing of UTEP 52-24 in the New Mexico Bowl. From 2006 to 2009, the Cougars put together a combined 43-9 record, a mark that shouldn't be overlooked.

Both teams will be on the rebound, looking at every opportunity to return to prominence.

What to know: The Longhorns go through an adjustment period and identity discovery, working out any wrinkles to the offense and defense.

Sept. 17: @ UCLA

UCLA, for lack of a better word, embarrassed Texas last year with a 34-12 drumming of the Longhorns in Austin.

Whatever sugar-coating Mack Brown and his staff may slather over this matchup in Los Angeles, everyone knows it sets up as a revenge game.

But Texas must approach cautiously.

With emotions running rampant, poor execution of fresh offensive and defensive strategies could result in a poor outcome when there is little wiggle room for error.

Although the Bruins have been mired in mediocrity for the last couple of seasons, they can deliver a sucker punch when it is least expected.

What to know: Texas will need to come with a sharp focus and objective, or the Horns could leave L.A. highly disappointed.

Oct. 1: @ Iowa State

Via a 28-21 win in 2010, Iowa State topped Texas for the first time since 1990. That loss for the Horns began a troubling four-game stretch that saw them drop games to Baylor, Oklahoma State and Kansas State, with three of the four played in Austin.

Texas was in free fall.

At first glance, the Cyclones' win over the Horns looks like a fluke. In this case, first impressions may lend some truth.

The Longhorns will be looking to return to their standard, where they top Iowa State with little obstruction.

With a week to go before Texas' biggest game of the season, this is the Horns' best chance to shore up any misfires, crossing all "T's" and dotting all "I's".

What to know: Oklahoma looms, positive momentum will be critical.

Oct. 8: Oklahoma (in Dallas)

Barring a loss to Florida State early on, Oklahoma will be the top-ranked team in the country come the Red River Rivalry.

Undoubtedly the toughest matchup on Texas' 2011 schedule, the Horns can crash what could be the Sooners' bid for a BCS National Championship.

All of the playmakers should be public figures by now, and if Texas doesn't have it right at this point in the year, only further troubles lay ahead.

Manny Diaz has said that defense determines who wins or loses, while offense determines by how much. The Longhorns may be reliant on a talented defensive unit at this point if the offense isn't clicking.

What to know: Texas' defense will have to play its best game yet to be in the game in the fourth quarter.

Oct. 15: Oklahoma State

A week after the RRR in Dallas, Texas will play host to Oklahoma State, yet another Big 12 opponent that returns enough talent to challenge for a conference title.

Both quarterback Brandon Weeden and receiver Justin Blackmon should be in position to claim All-Big 12 honors by now, and shutting down a high-octane offense--albeit without a proven option in the backfield--can pave the way for a Texas win.

Any sort of hangover from the previous week may cause serious problems.

What to know: No hangover from Oklahoma increases chances of a Longhorns win.

Oct. 29: Kansas

The Jayhawks got no taste of the implosive Longhorns last season, and unfortunately for Turner Gill and co., Texas supremely out-talents Kansas up and down its roster.

After back-to-back meetings with two former contenders for the Big 12 South, the Horns should welcome a much less dangerous opponent.

Kansas is following up its second consecutive losing season, but overlooking the Jayhawks would be disastrous in a close game.

What to know: It's not basketball season.

Nov. 5: Texas Tech

Texas uncomfortably managed a win in Lubbock last season before beginning its tumble down to the Big 12 cellar. But Tommy Tuberville has recruited well enough to make his Red Raider program competitive, as usual.

The matchup will be the last of three straight home contests before the final third of the season.

Under the lights at Darrell K. Royal Memorial Stadium, the Horns figure to be in a comfortable position against Tuberville in his second season as head coach.

What to know: Both teams are looking to recapture their respective prominence, but Texas heavily outclasses Tech.

Nov. 12: @ Missouri

Missouri was another former Big 12 North opponent that missed Texas' collapse in 2010, but the Tigers will host the new-look Longhorns to begin the final third of the season.

Gary Pinkel's team was a consistent contender for the North title, but with the realigned Big 12, the Tigers will have to do much more to compete for the conference crown.

Texas' trip to Columbia is the first of three road games to finish off the season, but a slip up here could signal bad news for subsequent matchups 

Missouri plays tough at home, and with a relatively young Texas team, the Horns will have to grind it out in the final third of the year.

What to know: Missouri likely will be the favorite, but Texas has the talent to come away with a win.

Nov. 19: Kansas State

Kansas State has had Texas' number of late, triumphing in the last three contests dating back to the 2006 season.

But the new blood in Austin changes this relationship dramatically.

The Wildcats have long left a bad flavor in the mouths of most of the Texas faithful, but this is a new era of Longhorns football. 

What to know: It's Kansas State, which has been Texas' kryptonite in virtually all sports in recent memory. 

Nov. 24: @ Texas A&M

The Lone Star Showdown has picked up steam lately with the Aggies presenting a more competitive flavor and program.

The two have split the last four meetings, with each holding wins on the road.

Forget all that will have happened up to this point and throw out all expectations. Whichever team performs better on that night will come away with the win.

What to know: It's Texas-Texas A&M. Anything can and will happen.

Dec. 3: @ Baylor

Texas completes its 2011 season with a trip to Waco in December.

The Bears traveled to Austin last year and pulled out with a 30-22 win, Baylor's first road win against Texas since 1991.

Baylor has forever lived in the shadows of the conference's top dogs, and although the puppy snatched a bone from the big dog last season, things may not work out the same way this time around.

The result here could determine how significant postseason play will be for the Longhorns.

What to know: It's the final game of the season, and Texas will look to end with a bang.