Ole Miss and Texas collide in massive college football showdown with Arch Manning's season at stake

Don’t Blame Arch for Texas’ Loss to Ohio State Last Year | Don't @ Me w/ Dan Dakich

"When I think a Texas skill, I think a first round draft picks, I think I think, you know, explosive running backs just ripping through tackles. I think of, you know, great wide outs that are going to be high draft picks. They didn’t, they weren't open last year against Ohio State. So, you can blame Arch Manning all you want that opening loss to Ohio State which is fine. But I got news. There is no one open."

Last week was honestly one of the craziest weeks of football I’ve ever seen. College football was absolutely wild. It seemed like essentially every team in the top-10 of the national ranks lost. There was upset after upset, and a few teams were on the verge of stumbling as well. Week 7 saw a bunch of top ranked matchups, so naturally there were going to be losses from top teams.

This week doesn’t have nearly as many ranked matchups, but there is a massive one for Ole Miss and Texas.

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Ole Miss comes into this game ranked 7th in the nation, and they own a 5-1 record. Their lone loss in the season was to Florida. That came after their biggest win of the season, when they beat LSU. It was one of the most obvious let-down situations in football. In the past two weeks, the Rebels have rebounded. They beat Vanderbilt 52-17 following the loss to Florida. Then last week, they took down Missouri. That was an even more impressive win as they beat the Tigers 31-3.

Trinidad Chambliss No. 6 of the Mississippi Rebels scores a touchdown against Ty Benefield No. 2 of the Louisiana State Tigers during the second half at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on Sept. 19, 2026, in Oxford, Miss. (Getty Images)

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The Rebels still own one of the better defenses in the country – even though they gave up 52 to Florida. Their quarterback, Trinidad Chambliss, has been about as good as you could hope for. He has four interceptions on the season, but only one of those came in the loss. He has a rushing touchdown in five of the six Ole Miss games. He has thrown for two or more touchdowns in five of the six games as well. Those are impressive numbers and he has made a big difference for the team. He will have a challenge against a good Texas defense, but the Longhorns have struggled.

Texas is arguably the most disappointing team in the country. They started the season once again with incredibly high expectations, but they fell apart. This is the last remaining game on the schedule that should be very difficult. I’m not trying to make excuses for the Longhorns, because their schedule has been tough, but with their talent, they shouldn’t have lost games, let alone back-to-back games.

Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) prior to the game against the Clemson Tigers during the CFP National playoff first round at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. (Mark J. Rebilas/Imagn Images)

OLE MISS DEFENSE TAKES CHARGE, SHUTS DOWN MISSOURI'S HIGH-POWERED RUSHING ATTACK IN 31-3 WIN

In the past two games, they lost both of them 27-24 to Oklahoma and Florida. Neither of those teams were ranked opponents, and both of the losses came in the state of Texas.

It seems almost unfathomable that the team could’ve lost both of these games. A lot of the blame is falling on Arch Manning, but I don’t know that it is fair to give him all the blame. Manning hasn’t been a difference-maker, but I also don’t think he has cost the team games. He has completed about 64% of passes with 11 touchdowns and five interceptions this season. He had two against Oklahoma, so maybe that one was his fault. He has been sacked 17 times in six games, but the blame really should be on the coach for having a poor game plan.

Arch Manning #16 of the Texas Longhorns throws a pass in the second half against the Florida Gators at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Texas, on Oct. 17, 2026. (Getty Images)

The line on this game has dropped significantly from the opening. Texas was a -9.5 favorite coming into this game when the lines opened. Now they are down to just -3.5. I don’t blame people for taking the points, and still think there is some value.

The Rebels have a good offense, and a solid defense. Still, when a season is on the line, and a team is at home, you kind of have to think they will put their best effort out there. It wouldn’t be at all surprising to see Steve Sarkisian fired if they lose this game. I do expect Texas to win, so the -160 isn’t a terrible look, but I think this will be a lower scoring game. I’ll back the under 54.5.

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