In Texas State football head coach GJ Kinne’s first season running the program, finishing 8-5 with a win in the First Responder’s Bowl was considered a massive success.
The Bobcats played most of their history as an NCAA Division II or Football Championship Subdivision program. They hadn’t won a bowl game in their relatively brief Football Bowl Subdivision history, and the last time they finished above .500 was 2014.
Article continues below this ad
With higher expectations in 2024 and a similar roster, the same 8-5 record and bowl win didn’t have the same sheen. It wasn’t an unsuccessful season, but with the incoming move to the Pac-12, is it enough to continue to tread water with a similar season? Will the returners and new transfers be able to live up to the precedent that has been set?
The Bobcats are seeking their first Sun Belt title in their final season in the conference.
Here’s a game-by-game prediction of Texas State’s upcoming season.
MORE TEXAS STATE FOOTBALL: Will move to Pac-12 help Bobcats retain players?
Article continues below this ad
Texas State vs. Eastern Michigan: Aug. 30
Eastern Michigan finished 5-7 and ninth in the Mid-American Conference in 2024, with head coach Chris Creighton returning for his 12th season leading the Eagles. Former quarterback Cole Snyder exhausted his eligibility, and the void reportedly will be filled by Michigan State transfer Noah Kim.
Final score: Texas State 45, Eastern Michigan 21
Texas State at UTSA: Sept. 6
The Bobcats are riding high after their first win over the Roadrunners in 2024, but this time they’ll have to travel to the Alamodome.
Article continues below this ad
Expect a significantly more competitive game this time around. UTSA was without redshirt junior quarterback Owen McCown in last season’s matchup, and their offense is loaded with lead running back Robert Henry Jr. and top pass-catcher Devin McCuin returning. However, the Roadrunners’ defense is suspect, as they are replacing 11 starters. This is poised to be a shootout.
Final Score: Texas State 52, UTSA 49
Texas State Bobcats safety Darius Jackson (5) chases Texas State Bobcats running back Lincoln Pare (7) during Texas State’s football practice at Jim Wacker Field at UFCU Stadium in San Marcos, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025.
Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman
Texas State at Arizona State: Sept. 13
Texas State drove Arizona State into a corner last season before losing 31-21. The Sun Devils proceeded to win the Big 12, qualify for the College Football Playoff and nearly knock out Texas in the quarterfinals.
Article continues below this ad
Running back Cam Skattebo is off in the NFL, but quarterback Sam Leavitt and wide receiver Jordan Tyson are back. With another year of experience under their belt, the duo projects to be one of the deadliest connections in all of college. It’ll be a challenging game for Texas State’s revamped defense.
Final Score: Arizona State 38, Texas State 24
MORE: Texas State football punter David Nunez nearly quit. Now, he’s a Bobcat for life
Texas State vs. Nicholls: Sept. 20
The return of the Battle for the Paddle. The teams last met in 2019, a 24-3 Bobcats victory. Nicholls finished second-to-last in the Southland Conference last year, and it looks like Texas State will be adding another victory to the rowing oar in 2025.
Article continues below this ad
Final Score: Texas State 35, Nicholls 10
Texas State at Arkansas State: Oct. 4
Arkansas State finished 8-5 last season and returns QB Jaylen Raynor, WR Corey Rucker and RB Ja’Quez Cross. The Bobcats defense shut down the Red Wolves offense in 2024, but can they do it again? Watch out for Cross, who collected 117 yards on nine carries in the last matchup.
Final Score: Arkansas State 27, Texas State 20
Article continues below this ad
Texas State vs. Troy: Oct. 11
Texas State earned its first win over Troy last October with a convincing 38-17 score. Before the previous season, the Trojans had won the Sun Belt championship in back-to-back years. Was 2024’s 4-8 record a blip or a sign of a declining program? Four of Troy’s players were named to the 2025 preseason All-Sun Belt second team.
Final Score: Texas State 30, Troy 17
Texas State at Marshall: Oct. 18
Marshall won the 2024 Sun Belt championship but lost edge rusher Mike Green to the NFL draft, while Charles Huff left for Southern Miss along with a few of their more talented players. Marshall hired former North Carolina State defensive coordinator Tony Gibson as its head coach. It’s Gibson’s first time running a team at the collegiate level.
Article continues below this ad
Final Score: Texas State 35, Marshall 20
Texas State vs. James Madison: Oct. 28
James Madison was picked as the preseason favorite to win the Sun Belt. After losing QB Alonza Barnett III to an ACL tear last November, the Dukes added UNLV’s Matthew Sluka in the offseason. Offensive coordinator Dean Kennedy coached Sluka at Holy Cross, but no matter who’s under center, James Madison will likely be a point-scoring machine.
Final Score: Texas State 27, James Madison 24
Article continues below this ad
Texas State at Louisiana: Nov. 8
Texas State has broken its losing streak against Troy. Can it do the same versus Louisiana?
The Ragin’ Cajuns have won 12 straight over the Bobcats, but last year’s game was a tight affair. Former Texas State QB Jordan McCloud suffered an ankle injury in the first half and the team fell 23-17 despite backup RJ Martinez’s best efforts. Louisiana recently named Walker Howard, a former four-star recruit according to 247Sports’ composite rankings, as its starting quarterback.
Final Score: Louisiana 31, Texas State 28
Article continues below this ad
Texas State at Southern Miss: Nov. 15
Southern Miss finished at the bottom of the Sun Belt in 2024, but Huff’s hiring and the transfer of former Marshall QB Braylon Braxton could reignite the program fairly quickly. It might not be enough to jolt the Golden Eagles back into championship contention right away, but they could be a dangerous wildcard opponent.
Final Score: Southern Miss 27, Texas State 20
Texas State vs. ULM: Nov. 22
ULM fell victim to the transfer portal as leading rusher Ahmad Hardy transferred to Missouri and interceptions leader Wydett Williams Jr. left for Ole Miss. Having been a run-first team in 2024, it’ll be interesting to see if ULM head coach Bryant Vincent changes anything in his second season at the helm.
Article continues below this ad
Final Score: Texas State 40, ULM 18
Texas State vs. Southern Alabama: Nov. 29
Southern Alabama coach Major Applewhite has been dealt a tough hand after the team lost 11 projected starters in the offseason, including its leading passer, rusher and pass-catcher on offense. But RB Kentrel Bullock returns along with three of the team’s starting offensive linemen. The Jaguars also have QB Bishop Davenport, who was chosen as MVP of the team’s Salute to Veterans Bowl victory over Western Michigan.
Final Score: Texas State 35, Southern Alabama 28
Article continues below this ad
Final season prediction