Ole Miss vs. Texas: SEC Stakes & Arch Manning Debate

Segment Spotlight: Quick Hits From Outspoken With Dan Sileo

Texas Faces Ole Miss Amid Questions About Blown Leads, Coaching and Arch Manning

Ole Miss and Texas both have plenty at stake in this matchup. Ole Miss wants to remain in the SEC race, while Texas is trying to stay alive after suffering tough losses.

The biggest concern for Texas is that the team has lost consecutive games it appeared to control. After taking double-digit leads against Oklahoma and Florida, Texas failed to finish the job. When a team repeatedly blows leads like those, the first questions should be directed at the coaching staff rather than the quarterback.

Arch Manning has faced plenty of criticism, but Steve Sarkisian may be placing too much blame on him without looking closely enough at his own role. Texas was never as good as its No. 1 ranking suggested, but the team is also better than its No. 19 ranking. That tension defines a team that has been overhyped, even if it is not necessarily overrated.

Manning’s last name receives attention, but his high school recruiting ranking created even greater expectations. He was presented as an almost perfect prospect, but recruiting evaluations do not always translate into consistent college performance.

There have still been flashes of Manning’s ability. He may have made the best throw of his Texas career last week on a deep shot that helped put the team in position to cut the lead. The tools are visible, but down-to-down consistency remains essential, and Texas is not getting enough of it.

Despite those issues, Texas feels capable of winning this game by a field goal. A flat three-point spread would reflect how close this matchup could be.