Texas vs Ole Miss: Manning struggles, Simmons out — SkimNews
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- Texas enters Saturday's game at 4-2 after back-to-back losses to unranked opponents, becoming the first team since 1961 to drop consecutive games to unranked foes while previously ranked No. 1 in the AP poll
- Arch Manning has thrown multiple fourth-quarter interceptions in each of Texas' losses, including two against Oklahoma and a fumble in the final two minutes against Florida, leading to speculation about his future and a drop to +30000 odds to win the Heisman
- Steve Sarkisian remains Texas' head coach but reportedly gave additional first-team reps to redshirt freshman KJ Lacey Jr., with sportsbooks pricing Sarkisian at -300 to return next season and +200 to be fired
- Colin Simmons is expected to miss the Ole Miss game due to an ankle sprain, depriving Texas of the nation's sack leader (10.5) and top 2027 NFL Draft prospect on defense
- Ole Miss brings a 5-1 record and the nation's best red-zone touchdown percentage (87.5%) into the matchup, led by quarterback Trinidad Chambliss, who has thrown a TD in 19 straight games and has 20 total touchdowns this season
- The SportsLine Projection Model gives Texas a 37.6% chance to make the College Football Playoff, a figure that drops to 15.2% with a loss, while Ole Miss' odds rise from 28.4% to 55.5% with a win
Why it matters: A Texas loss likely ends their playoff hopes and could cost Steve Sarkisian his job, while Ole Miss gains a clear path toward the CFP with only Georgia left as a ranked opponent. The absence of Colin Simmons, the nation’s top sack leader, against a high-efficiency red-zone offense makes the Longhorns’ defense especially vulnerable at the worst possible time.
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