New Mexico State @ Texas preview

No. 15 Texas hopes the offseason momentum it's been riding since a comeback win against Oregon State in December's Alamo Bowl will continue into the new season, which starts Saturday against visiting New Mexico State. Coach Mack Brown is eager to see how junior quarterback David Ash and the Longhorns execute the no-huddle offense Texas debuted in the bowl game. The Aggies are also shifting to an up-tempo attack under first-year head coach Doug Martin after New Mexico State lost its last 11 games of 2012 by an average of 25.4 points.

Martin, who returns to New Mexico State after serving as the Aggies' offensive coordinator in 2011 before taking the same position at Boston College last year, has a new quarterback and a thin running back corps in his new offense. Texas, meanwhile, has 19 starters returning, including 10 on offense. "(Ash) finished on such a positive the fourth quarter of the bowl game, that momentum and confidence has carried through the spring and the summer," Brown said during his weekly press conference Monday. "He's more comfortable and excited about the offense."

TV: 8 p.m. ET, Longhorn Network. LINE: Texas -42

ABOUT NEW MEXICO STATE (2012: 1-11, 0-6 WAC): The Western Athletic Conference no longer sponsors football and the Aggies will play as an independent this year before joining the Sun Belt Conference as a football-only member in 2014. Last year's starting quarterback Andrew Manley (2,764 yards, 18 touchdowns, 11 interceptions) transferred to Eastern Illinois - opening the door for senior Andrew McDonald, who played in one game in 2012 after throwing for 4,229 yards and 50 touchdowns in two seasons at Santa Ana College. Senior safety Davis Cazares returns after leading the WAC with 116 tackles.

ABOUT TEXAS (2012: 9-4, 5-4 Big 12): Texas had five receivers miss time during preseason camp with injuries but senior Mike Davis - who had offseason hernia surgery after leading the team with 939 yards and seven touchdowns - is listed as a starter. Junior linebacker Jordan Hicks and senior end Jackson Jeffcoat return from season-ending injuries, joining an experienced defense looking to erase memories of last year's performance. "Every game we want to come out and dominate," Hicks said at Monday's media day. "We need to prove that we can stop the run, based off last year (when Texas allowed 192.2 yards rushing)."

EXTRA POINTS

1. Junior WR Jaxon Shipley, who had a team-high 59 catches last year, is listed as a possible starter while recovering from offseason hip surgery.

2. Texas coaches expect to play one freshman - WR Jacorey Warrick - on Saturday after playing 12 in last year's opener.

3. The Aggies have been outscored by an average of 35.5 points during an 18-game losing streak to ranked teams.

PREDICTION: Texas 55, New Mexico State 7