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The No. 7 Ole Miss Rebels will travel to Austin, Texas, to face the No. 19 Texas Longhorns on Saturday in a game with significant College Football Playoff implications for both programs. Texas has already suffered two losses and cannot afford another if it hopes to secure a playoff berth, while Ole Miss, with one loss, would likely need to win out if it falls this weekend.
Both of Texas' losses have come in its last two games against Oklahoma and No. 20 Florida, with quarterback Arch Manning struggling with turnovers at critical moments. Despite the Longhorns' disappointing season, Ole Miss head coach Pete Golding remains highly complimentary of the team.
Golding's High Praise for Sarkisian
Golding is well-acquainted with Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian, having worked alongside him on Alabama's coaching staff in 2019 and 2020, when Sarkisian served as offensive coordinator and Golding as defensive coordinator. "He's one of the best play-callers in the country, and it's not close," Golding said of Sarkisian this week.
Golding noted that Texas has been plagued by bad luck this season, specifically pointing to dropped passes that resulted in interceptions. He also dismissed the notion that Manning is not an elite player. "The conception that he's not an elite player right now is crazy to me," Golding said. "I'll get you a 25-play cutup, and he should be the top pick in the draft, and then there's other things that, to this point, he'd probably like to have back."
Golding emphasized that despite Texas' current slump, the Longhorns defeated then-No. 1 Ohio State (now No. 3) and held the No. 1 ranking for multiple weeks this season.
Running Back Situation and Offensive Scheme
Another storyline heading into Saturday's game is the status of Texas running back Hollywood Smothers, who is questionable to play. Smothers leads the Longhorns in carries and yards, but his teammate Raleek Brown is close behind and could likely match his production. Golding said that Smothers and Brown would "start at most places in the country" and noted that a key trait of Sarkisian's offense is establishing the run game to set up the play-action pass.
Despite early stumbles, Texas at its peak is a national-championship contender. Golding understands the Longhorns' coaching and on-field talent and will not underestimate Ole Miss' opponent this Saturday in Austin.