Longhorns Daily News: Alabama’s Nick Saban: Texas game is where we ‘find out where we are as a team’

There’s no point in reiterating what – and how much – is on the line in the Texas Longhorns’ Week 2 matchup in Tuscaloosa against the Alabama Crimson Tide. Point being, there’s a lot.

It’ll also act as a guide for where both Texas and Alabama stand as programs, now and later.

“Texas, I think everybody knows Sark is a really good coach. They’ve got a really good team. They’ve got a veteran team returning with 10 starters on offense, six on defense. Really good skill players on offense. Really good quarterback who can throw the ball effectively. They make a lot of explosive plays. Worthy is an outstanding receiver. They’ve got good running backs; they have a really good tight end. They’re very good on defense. They play really good up front; they’re physical, they played extremely well in the first game and they’re excellent on special teams,” Saban said earlier this week, per Inside Texas.

He continued, “This is a really good team, all the way around, and it’s going to be an opportunity for our team to sort of, ‘where are we as a team, where are you as a player?’ You’re going to play against a really good player, that usually says ‘where am I as a player’. This is going to be a good barometer for us to find out where are we as a team.”

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING ABOUT THE LONGHORNS

Austin American-Statesman: Texas coach Steve Sarkisian praises Tide, but sure wants to bury them

Austin American-Statesman: Texas will get a preview of SEC life during Alabama trip this week

Austin American-Statesman: Peyton Stearns’ big 2023 continues; Texas ex advances to U.S. Open

Austin American-Statesman: 5 things to know about Texas backup QB Maalik Murphy

Austin American-Statesman: Texas Longhorns report card: How they graded in win over Rice

Austin American-Statesman: Bohls: Texas creams Rice behind turnovers, impressive defensive effort

Austin American-Statesman: Texas notebook: Jonathan Brooks shines after CJ Baxter suffers injury

Austin American-Statesman: Golden: Quinn Ewers did what he had to do but will have to do better

Dallas Morning News: Will Texas Longhorns’ 2023 success be defense-driven? Steve Sarkisian thinks so

Dallas Morning News: 5 takeaways from Texas’ win vs. Rice: Jonathon Brooks looks primed for 2023 breakout

247Sports: Texas RB CJ Baxter returns to practice ahead of Longhorns’ trip to No. 4 Alabama

247Sports: Morning Brew: Jalen Milroe, Alabama will put Texas’ run defense to the test in Tuscaloosa

247Sports: Helmet Stickers: Recognizing winning contributions in Texas’ win over Rice

Inside Texas: Alabama and Texas players from each other’s state

Inside Texas: Three things to know from Steve Sarkisian: Xavier Worthy reaping the benefits of a great offseason, deep passing, Tuscaloosa

Inside Texas: On Texas Football: Lunch with the coach, evaluating Quinn Ewers, special teams

ICYMI IN BURNT ORANGE NATION

RECRUITING ROUNDUP

247Sports: The Stampede: Latest intel on top UT targets, Texas’ recruiting battles with Alabama

247Sports: Lone Star Recruiting Roundup: The latest intel on the top uncommitted prospects in Texas

Inside Texas: Inside Scoop: Kobe Black, Zina Umeozulu, Brandon Baker, Texas-Alabama visitors, and hoops

Inside Texas: Texas EDGE target Zina Umeozulu to announce commitment on Sept. 6

BIG 12 BREAKDOWN

247Sports: College football bowl projections after Week 1: Colorado shows out, Alabama strengthens

Our Daily Bears: Instant Reaction: Baylor vs. Texas State game

Frogs O’ War: MMQB: Defense optional

Frogs O’ War: Football: Colorado stuns No. 17 TCU 45-42

Crimson and Cream Machine: Oklahoma Sooners shut out Arkansas State, 73-0

The Smoking Musket: Same as it ever sas — West Virginia stumbles in showdown with Penn State

The Smoking Musket: What I think after West Virginia drops another one to Penn State

Wide Right & Natty Lite: Iowa State handles Northern Iowa

Bring On The Cats: FINAL: K-State 45, SE Missouri State 0

WHAT WE’RE READING

SB Nation: If you wanted Brian Kelly, you’ve got Brian Kelly

SB Nation: Colorado football puts itself back on the map with win against No. 17 TCU

SB Nation: Texas State WR Joey Hobert’s catch against Baylor might end the race for Catch of the Year

NEWS ACROSS LONGHORN NATION AND BEYOND

• Texas volleyball dropped a big one to the Stanford Cardinal over the weekend.

• Texas true freshman running back CJ Baxter is back at practice.