Texas Longhorns set up for emotional letdown

Just six days ago, Texas was unranked, somewhat unloved and an unknown quantity to most of the college football world. Much has changed for coach Charlie Strong’s team.

What a difference a narrow double-overtime victory on your home turf makes.

After squandering a 17-point second-half lead, the Longhorns and Tyrone Swoopes, their situational quarterback who does a wicked impersonation of an 18-wheeler, rallied to defeat 10th-ranked Notre Dame 50-47. On an opening weekend filled with exciting finishes and top 10 upsets, Texas’ victory was perhaps the pinnacle.

The Longhorns debuted at No. 11 this week in The Associated Press poll. Sixteen voters put Texas in the top 10, while ESPN’s Brett McMurphy vaulted the Longhorns to No. 6, according to the Austin American-Statesman.

Pollsters, like sports bettors, tend to overreact, so I need to see more before I proclaim the Longhorns as being back among college football’s upper crust.

Texas hosts Texas-El Paso on Saturday as a 30½-point favorite, and Strong knows his club cannot afford to get caught up in the national attention.

“One game does not make a season,” Strong said.

With Texas still basking in the afterglow of Sunday’s dramatic victory, the Miners will not merit the Longhorns’ full attention. Plus a trip to California looms on deck for the Longhorns, with Big 12 Conference games against Oklahoma State and Oklahoma following the revenge mission to Berkeley.

Mix it all together and I’ll recommend taking UTEP and the points.

Four more plays (home team in CAPS):

Arkansas State-AUBURN (Under 54½) — Arkansas State managed just 10 points, 13 first downs and 266 total yards in a season-opening 31-10 home loss to a Toledo team featuring four returning defensive starters. Now the Red Wolves get to face an Auburn defense that limited Heisman Trophy candidate Deshaun Watson and Clemson to 19 points last week.

Kentucky (+16½) over FLORIDA — After his team blew a 25-point lead at home last week against Southern Mississippi, Kentucky coach Mark Stoops has to be hearing the calls for his job. The Gators, still searching for an offensive identity, have covered only six of their past 23 games as home favorites dating to late in the 2011 season.

Brigham Young (+3½) over UTAH — In December in the Las Vegas Bowl, BYU allowed Utah 197 yards total offense, but fell to the Utes 35-28 primarily because of five turnovers. Gone from that Utes offense are quarterback Travis Wilson, tailback Devontae Booker and wide receiver Britain Covey.

Despite last year’s bowl cover by the favorite, “The Holy War” has been dominated by the underdog, which has covered 14 of the past 18 meetings.

UCLA (-26) over UNLV — Sophomore Josh Rosen threw three interceptions last week before rallying UCLA to send its season opener at Texas A&M to overtime. The Bruins ultimately lost to the Aggies 31-24.

While UNLV coach Tony Sanchez has the locals hopeful that brighter days are ahead for the Rebels, look for Rosen and the Bruins to get back on track with a lopsided victory against an overmatched opponent.

Last week: 3-2 against the spread

Paul Stone of VegasSportsAuthority.com is providing college football analysis for the Las Vegas Review-Journal. Follow on Twitter: @paulstonesports