Arch Manning, Texas escape Missouri after wild officiating controversy sends SEC showdown into chaos

The argument of whether Texas would make the college football playoff if it were to lose another game this season will have to wait another week.

But, that doesn’t mean the controversy surrounding this Longhorns squad is going away any time soon after the 34-20 win over Missouri.

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Did SEC officials get together before the game and decide that pure chaos was on the agenda for this showdown at Missouri?

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Besides the fact that there were multiple calls that went against Missouri, some reasonable, I don't think we've seen this much madness in one football game this season.

Everything came to a head in the third quarter, as Arch Manning was hit from behind while trying to also complete a pass. The Texas quarterback was obviously trying to pass the football, while at the same time a Missouri defender got his hand on the ball.

The problem was that Manning's arm was moving forward, even with the ball tipped by a Missouri defender. Then, as the ball laid on the ground 12 yards ahead of the the line of scrimmage, a Texas receiver picked up the football, while trying to snag it before a Missouri defender fell on the ball.

Arch Manning of the Texas Longhorns scrambles from Jason Dowell of the Missouri Tigers during the first half at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium in Columbia, Mo., on Nov. 7, 2026. (Getty Images)

According to the SEC officiating crew, the call on the field was ruled a fumble. So, officials reviewed the play, which concurred within the replay center at SEC offices, where they ruled that the call on the field would stand.

While a befuddled broadcast crew and those reacting on social media complained, Arch Manning dropped a dime just two plays later for the Texas touchdown that tied the game at 20-20.

This was just one example that created plenty of confusion for viewers at home, while the home Missouri crowd was left stunned.

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As for the game itself, outside a number of weird calls by the officiating crew, this was expected to be a tough outing for the No. 7 Longhorns against a Missouri squad led by quarterback Austin Simmons.

Turns out, we got this chaotic Saturday started with a bang, as

Maybe this is one of those examples of how anyone in the SEC can be beaten on any given Saturday. But there will be plenty of questions surrounding why some of these calls were made, with a Missouri team that continued to cause problems for a Longhorns squad that is still searching for a mistake-free football game this season.

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Austin Simmons, No. 13 of the Missouri Tigers, throws a pass during the first half against the Texas Longhorns at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium on Nov. 7, 2026, in Columbia, Mo. (Getty Images)

Did we actually learn anything about Arch Manning's presence within the pocket? Sure, there were multiple instances of Texas looking like a squad that could be a threat if it were to make the college football playoff.

But, we still saw a team led by Steve Sarkisian that is troubled by their own mistakes with penalties, while also trying to create a rushing attack without Hollywood Smothers.

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No matter how fans at home feel about the outcome, and if Texas was lucky enough to be bailed out a few times by the officiating crew, the Longhorns will gladly take this win and prepare for a showdown against LSU next week in Baton Rouge.

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The win over No. 19 Missouri will obviously sit well with the CFP rankings committee if Texas were to catch a loss that would put them at three on the season.

Derrek Cooper No. 5 of the Texas Longhorns scores a touchdown during the first half against the Missouri Tigers at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium in Columbia, Mo., on Nov. 7, 2026. (Getty Images)

But, it's clear that Steve Sarkisian is learning a few new things about his redzone offense, even if some of the field position was handed to them on a silver platter against the Tigers on Saturday.

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We are still dealing with a Longhorns football team that feels like it can be beaten on any given weekend.

At the same time, this Texas squad is finding ways to win football games at the most important time of the 2026 season.

Trey Wallace is the Sr. College Sports Reporter for OutKick.