Texas vs. LSU: Playoff Stakes and Arch Manning's Future

Segment Spotlight: Quick Hits From Outspoken With Dan Sileo

Texas-LSU Brings Major Playoff Pressure Without Being a True Elimination Game

Texas-LSU is a significant matchup, but it should not necessarily be considered an elimination game. LSU enters as the favorite, despite questions about why the team is ranked and what it has accomplished. LSU may lack great wins, but it is clearly a talented team that should not be dismissed.

If LSU beats Texas, some will argue that a three-loss Texas team cannot remain in playoff contention. That would ignore the quality wins on Texas’ resume, including Ohio State, Tennessee and Ole Miss. The losses have not been great, but Sark has to be frustrated by the leads his team has blown.

A loss would drop Texas, but it might not knock the team out entirely. Texas Tech and Wake Forest each have one loss, while Oregon has three. The possibility of a three-loss team making the playoff no longer seems especially surprising.

There are also major storylines surrounding both programs. Brian Kelly was 5-3 when LSU fired him, and another loss would increase the pressure on Lane Kiffin. He was not brought to Baton Rouge simply to be decent. He was hired to take LSU to the College Football Playoff. Although this is his first year, the expectations remain high.

A Texas loss would also raise questions about Sark’s future and what comes next for Arch Manning. Possibilities involving Ole Miss, Miami or the transfer portal would quickly become part of the conversation.

Manning’s situation is especially fascinating. He was crowned because of his high school ranking and has been considered a Heisman Trophy favorite for two straight years. He is a good college football quarterback and has been eligible to leave, but he has not seriously considered it. He could potentially return again, although Texas might reconsider running it back with Manning if the team misses the playoff.

Kiffin could face enormous pressure next season because LSU is unlikely to make the playoff this year. Still, LSU fans must support the decision they made. They cannot run Kiffin out of town in his first year. He is their coach, and they need to back him fully.

A different quarterback might have changed LSU’s outlook. That may be unfair to Sam Levitt, but he does not inspire the same confidence as some of the other quarterbacks.