The No. 1 Texas Longhorns managed a 30-6 win over UTSA on Saturday, but if you just looked at the score, you’d miss the whole story. This was their least impressive offensive performance of the entire season, bar none. You gotta wonder if all the hype and the No. 1 ranking after that Ohio State comeback thriller last week left them with a serious hangover, or maybe the Arch Manning, Steve Sarkisian, and Holly Rowe storyline was just too much.
The Offense Was Just… Off
Man, quarterback Arch Manning went 16 of 32 for a measly 161 yards and a couple of touchdowns. For the No. 1 team in the nation? That’s rough. They could only punch it in for *one* touchdown on four trips inside the red zone before getting a late score. There wasn’t a single 100-yard rusher or receiver to be found, they punted three times, and one drive even ended on a failed fourth down inside the 20-yard line. Just a perfunctory 30-6 win, not the statement you’d expect. Coach Steve Sarkisian didn’t pull any punches either, telling SEC Network+ right after the game, “I just thought we were a little sloppy offensively.” That says it all, doesn’t it?
Colin Simmons Injury, Yikes
As if the offense wasn’t enough to worry about, the Longhorns better be praying that Colin Simmons’ injury isn’t serious. Their All-American edge rusher bagged his second sack of the season in the first half, which is huge, but then he spent the entire second half on the sideline in street clothes, rocking a boot on his right foot. That’s a gut punch. Simmons is one of the most disruptive forces in college football, period. Losing his presence would sting, especially with SEC play just around the corner. Linebackers Rasheem Biles and defensive back Kade Phillips were the top two tacklers, and Simmons had the only sack.
The Longhorns are 3-0, but they absolutely cannot afford these offensive doldrums next week. They open their SEC schedule on the road against No. 15 Tennessee. That’s where we’ll really see if they can shake off this sluggish start and play like the top team they’re supposed to be. Time to lock in, fellas.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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