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The Texas Longhorns are gearing up for a pivotal game against Ole Miss, but they'll have to do it without star edge rusher Colin Simmons. The absence of Simmons, who has been a disruptive force on defense, leaves a significant hole that the Longhorns must fill. Additionally, there are lingering questions about the future of quarterback Arch Manning, adding another layer of intrigue to an already crucial matchup.
Texas A&M travels to Alabama this weekend, hoping to pull off an upset and salvage their season. The Aggies, who have yet to score a touchdown on the road, face a Crimson Tide team that is desperate for a win after a loss to Tennessee. With Alabama's playoff hopes hanging in the balance, A&M will need a near-perfect performance to come out victorious.
In the Big 12, Houston squares off against another ranked opponent, this time on the road at Utah. The Cougars, led by quarterback Conner Weigman, have been impressive offensively, but they'll face a stingy Utes defense that could pose problems. Houston must avoid a mental letdown after a string of strong performances.
Key Analysis
Columnists Kirk Bohls and Cedric Golden weighed in on the top issues in college football this week, starting with Texas's chances against Ole Miss. Bohls acknowledged that while a prayer might be answered, a victory would require a drastically different offensive approach, more production from Arch Manning, and a defense that can deliver for a full 60 minutes. Golden, however, sees a close game but ultimately predicts an Ole Miss win, citing the Rebels' improved defense and the healthy return of tailback Kewan Lacey.
The discussion also touched on whether backup quarterback KJ Lacey should see playing time for the Longhorns. Both analysts agreed that Lacey should get some snaps, especially if the game gets out of hand, to provide a spark and gain valuable experience. However, they also acknowledged that Steve Sarkisian is likely to stick with Manning unless the situation becomes dire.
Regarding Texas A&M's matchup with Alabama, Bohls and Golden both foresee a loss for the Aggies, with Alabama's anger after the Tennessee loss likely to be taken out on A&M. Golden emphasized that moral victories don't count in the SEC, and the Aggies' remaining schedule is daunting.
For Houston, Bohls expects the Cougars to play well despite the tough opponent, while Golden predicts a close game but gives the edge to Utah at home. Both analysts also shared their locks of the week, with Bohls taking Alabama to cover the spread and Golden riding the UCLA Bruins.
The conversation then shifted to broader topics, including the best defensive player in the SEC with Simmons sidelined. Bohls chose Tennessee's Xavier Gilliam, while Golden picked LSU's Princewill Umanmielen. They also debated whether a 24-team College Football Playoff would render conference championship games obsolete, with Bohls arguing it would and Golden pointing to the financial implications that keep them relevant.
Finally, the analysts discussed potential fixes for officiating, with Bohls calling for full transparency and Golden suggesting a universal replay system. They also pondered Arch Manning's potential transfer destination (both seeing Ole Miss as a logical fit) and which former coach could revive Texas's offense (Bohls chose Steve Spurrier, Golden chose Bill Walsh).
Originally reported by yahoo.