In what could be the most dangerous first game imaginable, considering there will be a new coaching staff and new players sliding into starting roles all over the field (especially at quarterback), the Longhorns host Louisiana on Sept. 4.

The Billy Napier coached Ragin’ Cajuns are one of the best, if not the best Group of Five team in the nation. After finishing 10-1 last season, including a win over Iowa State, the Ragin’ Cajuns are not only returning practically all of their starters, but they also added multiple Power Five transfers in the process.

Steve Sarkisian will not get a cupcake game in Week 1 to usher in the Longhorns’ new culture, but, rather, Texas will face a Louisiana team that will be nationally ranked. It’s a matchup College Football News does not find favorable: It predicted 21 of the top college football Group of Five over Power Five upsets.

The Week 1 matchup for the Longhorns and Ragin’ Cajuns was ranked No. 15.

Louisiana 31, Iowa State 14. Yeah, it really did happen to start the 2020 season – even if the rankings refused to acknowledge the victory all season long – and the 2021 Ragin’ Cajuns come back loaded. This isn’t the layup the Steve Sarkisian era might need or want to kick things off.

Regardless of who wins the starting job at quarterback, or how high Texas is ranked going into the season, the Longhorns cannot overlook Louisiana. Sarkisian will look to break the curse of former Texas head coaches that were unable to win their first game.