Texas is staring down the barrel of an elimination game for their College Football Playoff dreams this weekend, and guess who’s standing in their way? The Ole Miss Rebels, loaded with future NFL talent, including a running back who put up a truly bonkers 224 rushing touchdowns last season. A loss in Austin for the Longhorns this weekend is likely the final nail in the coffin for their 12-team CFP aspirations, especially with Mississippi State, Missouri, and LSU still on the horizon. While some think Texas can afford one more slip-up, many believe they need to win out entirely, making this Saturday night an absolute must-watch.
Ole Miss Offense Is Packing Serious Heat
First up, we gotta talk about Ole Miss RB Kewan Lacy. This dude is flat-out one of the best running backs in the country. Last year, in 2025, he absolutely exploded for 1,567 rushing yards and an unbelievable 224 rushing touchdowns. I mean, what?! That’s just wild. He’s battled some early injuries this season, but when he’s on the field, he’s been his normal, dominant self, averaging 5.7 yards per carry. He just shredded Missouri for 122 yards on 16 carries, showing he’s back. Texas’s defense has actually been solid against elite running backs this year, but slowing down Lacy might be their toughest challenge yet.
But wait, there’s more. While you’ll hear plenty about Deuce Alexander, the name you seriously need to know is WR Traylon Ray. This guy didn’t even record an offensive stat in 2025 because he was tearing it up in the secondary. Now, he’s flipped to offense this season and is already the Rebels’ second-leading wide receiver. He proved his big-game chops against LSU earlier this season, and if Texas focuses too much on Alexander, Ray could absolutely torch them. Then there’s TE Caleb Odom, a 6’5″, 240-pound beast who brings wide receiver speed and receiving ability to the tight end spot. He’s second in receptions and third in yards for the Rebels. Odom has logged at least three catches in every single game, so if Texas wants to slow this offense down, they’re going to need a consistent answer for him over the middle of the field.
The Rebels’ Front Seven Will Bring the Pain
On the defensive side, the Ole Miss front seven is just stacked with NFL-caliber players. Linebacker Luke Ferrelli, a transfer from Cal via Clemson, has slid right in and become the Rebels’ leading tackler. He’s already got 39 tackles and two sacks through six games, flashing that elite speed we all love to see. Texas’s running backs are going to have to be shifty to make No. 12 miss if they want to get any explosive runs going, because Ferrelli and the rest of that killer linebacker group will close running lanes in a hurry.
And you can’t forget about defensive end Kam Franklin. Sure, Will Echoles and Suntarine Perkins get a lot of hype, but Franklin is fully capable of taking over a game all on his own. Texas’s Siani and Goosby will need to match his aggression and ability, especially when it comes to containing the run. If they don’t handle No. 5 on Saturday, the Longhorns’ offensive struggles are absolutely going to continue. Finally, if Texas’s offensive line can somehow hold its own against that fearsome front seven, they’ll then get a shot at the Ole Miss secondary. While maybe not overloaded with future NFL superstars, it’s still home to some great players, like cornerback Antonio Kite. He’s got strong ball skills and a ton of knowledge from playing multiple secondary positions. That said, the source notes there have been some holes in this Ole Miss secondary that Texas could exploit, but only if their offensive line does its job first.
This game is all about survival for Texas’s CFP dreams. Can they contain a truly explosive Ole Miss offense and a defense loaded with talent? Or will the Rebels, led by that ridiculous running back and a swarming front seven, send the Longhorns’ playoff hopes into a complete spiral? Saturday night is going to be electric!
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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