The Morning Kick-Off w/Mike Hardball Hardge & Mark Henry

Texas faces its biggest SEC road test of the season as the Longhorns travel to Knoxville for a showdown with Tennessee. Join Mike "Hardball" Hardge and Mark Henry as they break down Steve Sarkisian's thoughts on the matchup, hear from Josh Heupel on what stands out about Texas, and discuss the keys to victory for both sides. Plus, Hardball and Mark go around the college football landscape with their weekly whip-around, react to Thursday Night Football and Michael Penix Jr.'s return, and examine what's next for the Giants after losing Jaxson Dart for the season as New York looks...

Former Texas Longhorn and NFL veteran Bo Scaife joins The Morning Kickoff for Legend of the Locker Room. Scaife breaks down how Texas must approach a hostile road environment, the importance of maintaining composure amid the noise and pressure, and the mindset championship teams need to succeed in a tough SEC atmosphere like Knoxville.

CBS Sports analyst and Tennessee Volunteer Charles Davis joins The Morning Kickoff to preview Texas' SEC showdown with Tennessee. Davis discusses what makes playing on the road in the SEC so difficult, the environment awaiting the Longhorns in Knoxville, and the keys to success when facing a talented Volunteers team in one of the conference's toughest venues.

On this edition of The Morning Kickoff with Mike Hardball Hardge and Mark Henry, Texas faces its first SEC road challenge as the Longhorns head to Knoxville to take on Tennessee. We break down Steve Sarkisian's thoughts on winning away from home, the challenge of facing Jim Knowles, and why Texas' defense continues to be the team's backbone. Plus, discussions on Jelani McDonald, the offense's missing ingredients, and which position group must set the tone in Neyland Stadium. Mike and Mark also weigh in on the biggest college football and NFL matchups of the weekend, discuss teams and players with...

Tommy Yarrish of DallasCowboys.com joins The Morning Kickoff to break down the Cowboys' trip to Brazil for a marquee matchup against the Ravens. Tommy discusses the impact of injuries on the defensive side of the ball, how Dallas can overcome those challenges, and the keys to slowing down Baltimore. Plus, we look at what this game means for the Cowboys as they face one of their toughest tests of the season.

Danny Davis of the Austin American-Statesman joins The Morning Kickoff to discuss Texas' upcoming trip to Knoxville, the challenge of playing in a hostile road environment, and the key factors that could determine the Longhorns' success against Tennessee. Danny also shares his insights on Steve Sarkisian's team, the defense's strong start, and what Texas must do to open SEC road play with a statement win.

NFL Fantasy Football expert Michael Fabiano joins The Morning Kickoff for another edition of Fantasy with Fabs. Fabs breaks down the biggest Week 3 fantasy football storylines, identifies key sleepers, must-start players, and potential busts, while helping managers make the right lineup decisions ahead of a crucial weekend of NFL action.

The Longhorns are heading into one of their toughest environments of the season as Steve Sarkisian and Texas prepare for a showdown with Tennessee in Knoxville. On The Morning Kickoff, we discuss Sark's latest comments, what we've learned about this Texas team so far, Arch Manning's continued development, and why Trevor Goosby and the offensive line could be the difference on the road.

Cory Mose joins The Morning Kickoff to discuss what we've learned about the Longhorns through the first part of the season, how Arch Manning continues to develop under center, and what Texas must do to leave Knoxville with a win. He also shares his thoughts on the team's identity and handling the pressure that comes with being one of college football's top programs.

SEC Network analyst and Knoxville radio host Ron Slay joins the show to preview Texas vs. Tennessee. Slay discusses the Volunteers' mindset heading into the matchup, what makes playing in Knoxville so difficult, and the key matchups that could determine one of the biggest SEC games of the season.

The Texans are off to a disappointing 0-2 start, and the pressure is already building in Houston. Voice of the Texans Marc Vandermeer joins The Morning Kickoff to discuss what's gone wrong through the first two weeks, the areas that must improve immediately, and how the team can get its season back on track before the hole gets any deeper. Vandermeer also breaks down the biggest concerns, reasons for optimism, and what Houston must do to right the ship heading into a critical stretch of the season.

Texas took care of business with a convincing win over UTSA, but Steve Sarkisian made it clear there's still plenty to improve before a massive showdown with Tennessee. We break down Arch Manning's performance, the Longhorns' dominant defense, concerns with the offensive line, special teams issues, and why Texas remains one of the most complete teams in the country. Plus, we preview the biggest SEC games of the weekend, discuss the risks of designed quarterback runs, recap another Cowboys victory powered by Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb, examine what's gone wrong for the Texans, and spotlight the latest NFL winners...

KVUE's Cory Mose joins the show to preview Texas' upcoming matchup against UTSA. Cory discusses what the Longhorns need to accomplish, key matchups to watch, how Arch Manning can continue to develop, and why staying focused on the Roadrunners is more important than listening to outside distractions.

Longhorn legend Rod Babers takes us inside the mindset of a championship-caliber football team. Rod reflects on Texas' historic comeback against Ohio State, explains why the Longhorns must establish the running game moving forward, and describes how Steve Sarkisian can put Arch Manning in "controlled chaos" situations that maximize his talent while keeping the offense efficient. Rod also shares insights from a player's perspective on leadership, locker room culture, and what it takes to stay focused when the spotlight is brightest.

Sean Fox of 97.7 Fox Sports joins The Morning Kickoff to discuss the growing drama surrounding Lane Kiffin and Ole Miss as the Rebels prepare for a massive showdown with LSU. Sean breaks down the expectations, pressure, storylines, and what could ultimately decide one of the biggest games of the college football weekend.

On this episode of The Morning Kickoff with Mike "Hardball" Hardge & Mark Henry, the Longhorns remain one of the biggest stories in college football, but Steve Sarkisian's message is simple: block out the noise and stay focused on the task at hand. Hardge and Mark discuss how Texas has handled adversity early in the season, the continued development of Arch Manning, key injury updates, and what the Longhorns need to accomplish as they prepare for UTSA. The guys also break down the culture Sark continues to build inside the program, the importance of leadership during challenging moments, and why Texas...

On this edition of The Morning Kickoff, we break down the proposed Protect College Sports Act and debate which rule could have the biggest impact on college football, from transfer portal restrictions to NIL regulations and coaching movement. We also preview a busy football weekend as Texas prepares for UTSA, discuss the Cowboys' need to respond against Washington, and examine whether the Texans can handle business against Cincinnati. Plus:
Sark's latest message on what it means to represent TexasHardge Knocks Life: The applause are over, now comes the workThe Battle of Ole MissNFL Winners and LosersMLB Pennant ChaseMike Leach's...

Daily Texan Sports Editor Meaghan English joins The Morning Kickoff to preview Texas' upcoming matchup with UTSA and discuss what she's seeing from the Longhorns heading into another important week. Meaghan also reflects on one of her most memorable assignments, making the grueling 15-hour trip to Florida last season to cover Texas on the road, and shares what it's like traveling with and reporting on one of college football's biggest programs.

Former Texas Longhorn and current UTSA defensive line coach Chris Nelson joins The Morning Kickoff to discuss this week's matchup against Texas and what it's like returning to Austin. Nelson shares lessons learned from his playing days, his philosophy for developing young athletes, and the importance of building relationships inside the locker room. He also breaks down how he approaches coaching the trenches and highlights several Roadrunner defensive linemen who could make a major impact against the Longhorns. A conversation filled with football knowledge, coaching insight, and appreciation for the game from one of the most respected figures around the...

Fantasy football expert Michael Fabiano joins the show to break down everything you need to know after an exciting Week 1 of the NFL season! We discuss the biggest fantasy football takeaways from Week 1, players who may be headed for disappointing performances in Week 2, and the under-the-radar sleepers who could help win your matchup. Michael also shares his insight on trending waiver wire pickups, breakout candidates, and which players fantasy managers should keep a close eye on moving forward.

Austin American-Statesman reporter Danny Davis joins The Morning Kickoff to break down Texas' impressive comeback victory over Ohio State. Danny discusses what the win revealed about Steve Sarkisian's team, the resilience shown in crunch time, and why the Longhorns continue to prove they can handle the biggest stages. Plus, what the victory means moving forward as Texas prepares for UTSA and the challenges ahead.

JJ Perez of Inside Runner Sports joins The Morning Kickoff to preview UTSA's matchup with Texas. JJ discusses the Roadrunners' early-season struggles, the challenges they've faced through the first part of the schedule, and the players who could make an impact against the Longhorns. He also reflects on how far the UTSA program has come in recent years and what success looks like as the Roadrunners continue to build their identity on the national stage.

Tommy Yarrish joins The Morning Kickoff to discuss Dallas' tough Week 1 loss to the Giants and why a quick response is critical. We break down what went wrong, how the Cowboys can bounce back, key areas that need improvement, and whether Dallas has the pieces in place to get its season back on track before things snowball early.

Texas rallied for a huge comeback victory over Ohio State, but Steve Sarkisian's message remains clear: the standard doesn't change. On this episode of The Morning Kickoff, we break down the Longhorns' biggest win of the season, discuss what Texas proved in a hostile environment, and look ahead to the upcoming matchup with UTSA. Joining the show, Danny Davis discusses the significance of Texas' comeback win and what it says about this team's championship mentality. Tommy Yarrish breaks down Dallas' disappointing Week 1 loss to the Giants and the adjustments the Cowboys must make moving forward. Michael Fabiano, NFL Fantasy Football...

Texas is the new No. 1 team in the country, and on this edition of The Morning Kickoff, we break down exactly how the Longhorns got there. Hear from Steve Sarkisian as he discusses the first-half offensive struggles, the dominant second-half defensive performance, leadership within the program, and the coaching points that helped Texas respond. Plus, we dive into Arch Manning's clutch second-half performance and why his preparation showed up when the lights were brightest. The crew debates what ultimately decided the game, examines how Texas won the battle up front, and reacts to the latest SEC weekly honors, including recognition...

Voice of the Houston Texans, Marc Vandermeer, joins The Morning Kickoff to break down Houston's difficult Week 1 loss to the Buffalo Bills and what the team can learn from the defeat. Vandermeer shares his thoughts on the Texans' performance, areas that need improvement, and the biggest takeaways from the opener. Plus, a look ahead to a crucial matchup with the Cincinnati Bengals, key players to watch, and what Houston must do to bounce back and get its first win of the season. Don't miss one of the most trusted voices covering the Texans as he provides insight into the team's...

The Morning Kickoff breaks down how the Texas Longhorns became the nation's new No. 1 team after erasing a 20-point fourth-quarter deficit in one of the most dramatic comebacks in recent memory. We dive into the clutch plays from Arch Manning, Steve Sarkisian's bold fourth-down decisions, and the moments that turned a certain loss into a historic victory. Plus, The Morning Kickoff debates whether one incredible quarter erases the concerns that surfaced earlier in the game, hands out the Good, Bad & Ugly from Texas' performance, recaps the Cowboys' loss to the Giants, discusses the Texans' high-scoring defeat against Buffalo, and looks...

The Morning Kickoff honors 9/11 and dives headfirst into one of the biggest college football weekends of the season. The crew discusses why Texas is ready to take the next step, the thin line between good and great, pressure points in the Longhorns showdown with Ohio State, and what makes this game so important. Plus, NFL Week 1 reactions after the 49ers dominated the Rams, the latest MLB pennant race updates, and predictions for a loaded weekend of football.

Former Texas All-American and Longhorn legend Rod Babers joins The Morning Kickoff for another edition of Legends of the Locker Room. As Texas prepares for its massive showdown with Ohio State, Rod explains why the biggest games are defined by the biggest players. He discusses the championship mindset required for moments like these, how stars separate themselves under pressure, and why elite competitors embrace the spotlight instead of shrinking from it. Rod also breaks down the key playmakers who could decide the outcome and shares why big-time players are expected to make big-time plays when everything is on the line<...

KVUE's Anne-Parker Clifton-Coleman joins The Morning Kickoff to discuss the excitement building around Austin ahead of the highly anticipated Texas vs. Ohio State showdown. Anne-Parker shares what she's hearing around campus, the buzz surrounding game week, key storylines to watch, and what a win could mean for the Longhorns & the city of Austin.

CBS Sports football analyst and Lifetime Longhorn Brian Jones joins The Morning Kickoff to break down Texas vs. Ohio State. BJ discusses what separates championship teams from contenders, where Texas has improved the most under Steve Sarkisian, key matchups to watch, and why this game could shape the national title race. Plus, his thoughts on the Longhorn culture, leadership, and the pressure of playing on college football's biggest stage.

Texas legend and former Longhorn linebacker Derrick Johnson joins The Morning Kickoff for another edition of Legends of the Locker Room. DJ shares his thoughts on Texas' highly anticipated showdown with Ohio State, what it takes to win games on the biggest stage, and the mindset championship teams must possess when the pressure is at its highest. He also reflects on leadership, preparation, and the standard of excellence that has defined Texas football's greatest teams. Plus, Derrick discusses the impact of his Defend the Dream Foundation and the work being done to help empower the next generation both on and...

The Morning Kickoff breaks down the biggest game of the college football weekend as Texas and Ohio State collide under the lights at DKR. The crew discusses why this matchup is a true measuring stick for Steve Sarkisian's program, the four keys to victory for Texas, and whether Arch Manning will have enough protection against an elite Buckeye defense. Plus, can the Longhorns contain Ohio State's explosive playmakers and win the battle at the line of scrimmage?

Horns247's Eric Henry joins The Morning Kickoff to preview one of the biggest games of the college football season as Texas hosts Ohio State at DKR. Eric breaks down the key matchups that could decide the game, including Texas' receiving corps against Ohio State's secondary, the battle in the trenches, and how the Longhorn defense can slow down the Buckeyes' explosive playmakers. He also discusses where Texas may have the edge, the biggest concerns for both teams heading into Saturday, and what it will take for the Longhorns to come away with a statement victory.

Bucknuts 247Sports insider Patrick Murphy joins The Morning Kickoff for a deep dive into the highly anticipated Texas vs Ohio State showdown in Austin.

DallasCowboys.com writer Tommy Yarrish joins The Morning Kickoff with Mike "Hardball" Hardge & Mark Henry to discuss the latest on Tyler Smith's injury and what it means for the Cowboys as Week 1 approaches. Tommy breaks down Dallas' offensive line outlook, how the team could adjust if needed, key players to watch, and what to expect as the Cowboys prepare to open the season.

Austin American-Statesman reporter Danny Davis joins The Morning Kickoff with Mike "Hardball" Hardge & Mark Henry to break down Texas and Ohio State ahead of one of college football's most anticipated matchups. Danny shares his insight on the Longhorns' biggest challenges, how Texas matches up against the Buckeyes, key players to watch, and what must happen for the Horns to come away with a statement win at DKR.

Fantasy Football Guru Michael Fabiano joins The Morning Kickoff to get you ready for Week 1 of the NFL season. Fabiano discusses the biggest matchup advantages, breakout candidates, risky starts, and players who could win your fantasy week. Get expert advice before setting your lineup and stay ahead of your competition.

The Morning Kickoff with Mike "Hardball" Hardge & Mark Henry gets you ready for the biggest game of the weekend as Texas takes on Ohio State at DKR. The guys break down the biggest key to the matchup: can the Longhorns slow down the Buckeyes' rushing attack? Plus, the critical plays that could decide the game, NFL opening night, LSU talk, and picks for a loaded football weekend. 

Chris Plonsky joins The Morning Kickoff to discuss the continued success and growth of Longhorn Women's Athletics. With 39 years at The University of Texas, Plonsky shares her perspective on building championship programs, supporting student-athletes, elevating women's sports, and maintaining Texas' tradition of excellence. From national success to the future of women's athletics on the Forty Acres, Plonsky provides insight into the leadership, culture, and vision that continue to make Texas one of the premier athletic departments in the country.