The Texas Longhorns enter their matchup with No. 7 Ole Miss on Saturday facing significant challenges after a sharp decline in performance this season. Once undefeated and ranked No. 1 as of Oct. 10, the Longhorns have since suffered two losses, dropping to No. 19 nationally and facing long odds (+125) to secure a spot in the College Football Playoff. Another defeat would likely end their postseason hopes.
Despite possessing one of the most talented rosters in college football, Texas has struggled to convert that potential into consistent success on the field, marking the second consecutive year the team’s on-paper strength has failed to translate into expected results. Quarterback Arch Manning, the preseason Heisman Trophy favorite for two straight years, carries much of the burden, but attention is increasingly turning to head coach Steve Sarkisian. Once widely praised in Austin, Sarkisian now faces scrutiny amid rumors of a strained relationship with Manning and growing dissatisfaction within the program.
The offensive unit, anticipated to be a dominant force this season, has underperformed, frequently stalling and undermining an otherwise strong defensive effort. Some analysts suggest the recent losses to Oklahoma and Florida represent a low point for the Longhorns, yet doubts remain about Texas’s ability to quickly rebound, especially against a formidable Ole Miss squad. As of now, Texas is favored by 3.5 points in the game set to be played at the Longhorns’ home stadium.
Elsewhere in college football, Houston is set to face undefeated Utah at Rice-Eccles Stadium. The Utes, ranked No. 10, have garnered national attention and will host ESPN’s College GameDay ahead of the contest. However, Utah’s schedule has been criticized for its relative weakness, ranked 116th in difficulty according to SP+ metrics. Houston, conversely, has faced the 22nd-toughest slate this season and narrowly missed an upset against Texas Tech. The Cougars’ balance of a strong passing game led by Conner Weigman and a dual-threat running attack is expected to challenge the Utes’ defense, with Houston entering as a 6.5-point underdog.
In another matchup, Northwestern will host Rutgers with the Wildcats favored by 16.5 points. Northwestern has been one of the surprises of the season, holding a 5-1 record; however, their status may be overstated after a narrow victory against Michigan State, secured by a last-second field goal. Rutgers, despite overall struggles, has demonstrated offensive capability that could pose problems for Northwestern, raising the possibility of an upset in Evanston.
The previous week proved difficult for the Longhorns’ conference peers, with Missouri, Notre Dame, and Indiana all suffering defeats, while the columnist covering these picks fell to 0-3 last week and holds a 10-14 record on the season.