The Texas Longhorns are staring down a must-win game against Ole Miss, and honestly, it feels like everything is on the line. They’ll hit the field without star edge rusher Colin Simmons, and the talk around quarterback Arch Manning’s future is just getting wild. This isn’t just another game, y’all, this is a line in the sand.
Texas’s Must-Win: No Simmons, All Questions for Arch Manning
Alright, let’s talk about the Longhorns and Ole Miss. The team is already without Colin Simmons, and remember how they couldn’t even stop Trammel Jones Jr. and Florida with Simmons in for *half* the game? So how are they supposed to beat Ole Miss, who’s got Trinidad Chambliss, without their star? Columnist Kirk Bohls thinks they need a completely different, efficient West Coast offense, more runs from Arch Manning, at least two take-aways, and a full 60 minutes of defense just to have a prayer. And even then? Ole Miss is playing way better, their defense is legit, and tailback Kewan Lacey is healthy. Bohls is calling it: a 35-31 Ole Miss win.
Cedric Golden’s take? Of course they have a chance, but it’s the SEC, so who knows what’s gonna happen. The Horns are somehow 3½-point favorites, even with a couple of rough losses already this season. Golden doesn’t see them getting absolutely run out of their own stadium, but he’s not predicting a turnaround. He says this is about to be the defense’s toughest game of the season, and he’s got Ole Miss winning, 31-24.
Then there’s the whole Arch Manning situation. Bohls thinks backup KJ Lacey (9) should totally play, like two series, maybe 10 snaps, just to spark this flat offense. Sarkisian benched Quinn Ewers once, so why not shake things up now? Golden’s gut tells him Steve Sarkisian will stick with Manning. But if the Horns get blasted by three or four touchdowns, then yeah, giving Lacey a shot makes sense. Honestly, Manning’s done some of his best work when they’re in hurry-up mode, and Ole Miss can score a ton of points, which might force that early.
Aggies at Alabama: Can Texas A&M Finally Score on the Road?
Meanwhile, Texas A&M is headed into Tuscaloosa trying to save their season with an upset against a furious Alabama squad. This is a nightmare scenario for the Aggies, facing a desperate Kalen DeBoer team playing for their post-season life and maybe even DeBoer’s job. Here’s the kicker: A&M hasn’t even scored a touchdown on the road *all season*. Yikes. Maybe Marcel Reed can find something against the Tide’s suspect pass defense. Bohls sees a 32-17 Bama win. Golden is straight up: no moral victories in the SEC. A&M is 4-3 and needs two more wins to get to bowl eligibility.
Over in the Big 12, Houston has another ranked game on deck, this time at Utah. That’s another tough road test for them, especially this early in the season.
The Longhorns, Aggies, and Cougars are all facing crucial matchups that could seriously define their seasons. We’ll be watching to see if Texas can pull off the upset at home, if A&M can finally find the end zone on the road, and if Houston can hold their own against another ranked opponent. It’s gonna be a wild one across the college football landscape.
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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