Ole Miss heads to Austin this weekend with a chance to land a season-defining win, and the Rebels are likely going to need impact plays from more than just the headline names. Texas has dropped back-to-back games to unranked teams, but the Longhorns are still the same group that spent four straight weeks at No. 1 earlier this season after knocking off Ohio State and winning at Tennessee.
That backdrop makes this matchup tricky to frame. Texas is banged up, but the Longhorns are also operating in must-win mode the rest of the way. For Ole Miss to leave with its first away victory over a ranked opponent this season, the Rebels will need clean execution on both sides of the ball.
Up front, William Davis is one of the biggest keys. The 6'4", 300-pound left tackle has been excellent all season, allowing no sacks so far while also moving like a much smaller player in the run game.
Last week against Missouri, Ole Miss posted the highest-rated offensive line performance in the country, according to Pro Football Focus, and Davis helped anchor a day in which the Rebels surrendered no sacks and piled up 257 rushing yards in a 31-3 win. Another repeat of that showing is a tall order, but with Texas’s top pass rusher Colin Simmons likely set to be ruled out, Davis and the line have a chance to open things up again and keep the pressure on a Texas offense that has struggled.
On the perimeter, Antonio Kite enters the game with something to clean up. He had a rough outing against Missouri receiver Donovan Olugbode, who caught nine passes for 127 yards and stood out as one of the Tigers’ few bright spots.
Now Kite has to turn the page fast, because Texas brings a dangerous duo in Cam Coleman and Ryan Wingo. With Jaylon Braxton working on the other side, the Rebels’ corners are going to be tested no matter who is at quarterback for Texas.
The pass rush could be even more important if Suntarine Perkins shows up the way Ole Miss expects. He had a relatively quiet day against Missouri, finishing with just a half-tackle for loss after a big performance against Vanderbilt the week before.
This matchup sets up better for him. Texas allowed 11 tackles for loss and five sacks against Florida, and if Perkins and the rest of the front can stress the pocket, Arch Manning may be forced into quick decisions.
Manning has not handled that kind of pressure especially well this year, with five interceptions and a lower completion rate.
Then there’s Kewan Lacy, whose availability has shaped the first half of the Rebels’ season. Over the past two weeks, he has ripped off 6.6 yards per carry on average, giving Ole Miss a weapon that can help control the game if the run blocking holds up.
That matters against a Texas defense that has had trouble getting opponents off the field. The Longhorns have not forced a turnover in SEC play, so if Lacy gets rolling, Ole Miss could build a major edge in time of possession.
Texas did hold Florida to 3.4 yards per carry last week, though, and the numbers still show a tougher road: the Longhorns are 27th in rushing defense, while the Rebels sit 72nd in rushing offense.
At tight end, Dae'Quan Odom is another name to watch in the biggest moments. The 6'5, 240-pound target has not topped five catches in any game this season, but Caleb Cunningham’s breakout last week could pull some defensive attention elsewhere. Trinidad Chambliss has already leaned on Odom in key spots this season, and if Saturday turns into a fourth-quarter fight, Odom could see a heavier share of the passing game.
In Other News...
Texas Just Lost More Edge Rush Help Before Ole Miss
Texas is heading into its matchup with Ole Miss thinner on the edge than it expected, with defensive end Colin Simmons likely to miss the game because of a high ankle sprain. The Longhorns are also without freshman edge rusher Richard Wesley, who has been ruled out with the same injury and may miss the rest of the regular season.
Wesley had shown some promise in limited work, with seven tackles across four appearances, but now Texas will have to piece together its pass rush without him. For an Ole Miss offense preparing for a major test, the injuries shift even more responsibility onto the other edge players the Longhorns can call on. [Read more 🡒]
Mark Ingram Just Added Fuel To Ole Miss Texas Debate
Mark Ingram has added another voice to the growing chatter around Ole Miss Week 8 matchup with Texas, and his read is simple enough: he likes the Rebels. Speaking on the game, the former Alabama star pointed to Ole Miss strong record and quarterback play as reasons to feel good about their chances, while also noting Texas recent losses and the injury concerns hanging over the Longhorns.
The betting market has already shown how closely this one is being watched, with sentiment around the matchup shifting as kickoff approaches. For Ole Miss, the interest goes beyond a single prediction. A win would not only strengthen the Rebels standing in a major SEC statement game, it would also keep the conversation moving around how real this team is when the spotlight gets brightest. [Read more 🡒]
Arch Manning Brings New Pressure Into Texas Showdown With Ole Miss
Texas heads into Week 8 carrying more than just the weight of consecutive losses to Oklahoma and Florida. At 4-2, the Longhorns are trying to steady themselves quickly, and Steve Sarkisian said Arch Manning has brought a more edgy edge to practice as the team works through the frustration of back-to-back setbacks.
The timing makes the quarterbacks response especially important with No. 7 Ole Miss next on the schedule. Sarkisian made it clear the focus is not simply on Manning being sharp individually, but on how well he plays alongside his teammates as Texas tries to reset before one of its biggest tests of the season. [Read more 🡒]