A Texas State fan who fell into a coma at kickoff of the final game of the 2022 season wouldn’t recognize the Bobcats heading into the 2023 season opener. The program fired former head coach Jake Spavital in favor of G.J. Kinne. Kinne and his regime has signed over 50 new faces to scholarships and completely overturned the roster. 

The goals are simple in 2023 – lay the foundation for a legit Sun Belt contender while flirting with bowl eligibility. Kinne & Co. walked into Incarnate Word last year and led the Cardinals to the FCS semifinals in Year 1. The schedule is tough, but not impossible to navigate. 

TEXAS STATE BOBCATS 

2022 record: 4-8
2023 prediction: 6-6

BIGGEST GAME – at UTSA on Sept. 9

Let’s flashback to 2020 when UTSA and first-year head coach Jeff Traylor went into San Marcos and stole a win from the Bobcats early in the season and then examine the trajectory of each program since that day. UTSA has won more games than any other G5 program in the nation over the past two seasons, including a pair of conference titles. Texas State is still searching for its first bowl bid as an FBS program. 

New Texas State head coach G.J. Kinne can pull the same trick with an upset win over rival UTSA. The Bobcats hired Kinne to win games, score points, and rebuild relationships with Texas high school coaches and players. He’s already doing a great job on the recruiting trail, but a win over the Roadrunners puts a jetpack on the Bobcats rebuild and would put Texas State on track to reach six wins and earn a bowl invite.

TRAP GAME – at Arkansas State on Nov. 18 

Picking a trap game for a program that hasn’t won more than four games since 2014 is a difficult task. No team on the schedule should be considered a pushover for Texas State, even the Week 3 non-conference home game against Jackson State. We’ll go with a late road trip to Arkansas State as our pick. The trip is sandwiched between a trip to Coastal Carolina and the season-finale at home against South Alabama. A win over Arkansas State feels necessary for the Bobcats to reach their goal of bowl eligibility. Texas State was 0-6 on the road and 2-6 against Sun Belt teams in 2022. One of those wins was a three-point home victory over Arkansas State.

UPSET POTENTIAL – at Coastal Carolina on Nov. 11

Coastal Carolina is one of the bullies on the block in the Sun Belt. But a new regime, and a lot of new faces on the roster, provide hope for opponents in 2023. Texas State knocked off one of the usual contenders last year in a victory over App State. The Bobcats want to add another skin to the wall in 2023. A potential high-powered offensive attack should give them enough confidence to play with any team in the conference. If the goal is to become a contender, there is no better place to start than a road win against Coastal.