Texas may be headed into one of its biggest early tests without the running back who helped rescue its season’s opening statement.
Hollywood Smothers was listed as questionable on Wednesday’s injury report with an undisclosed injury, and Texas coach Steve Sarkisian didn’t offer any additional detail when he met with reporters Thursday. “You guys saw the report,” Sarkisian said, via Anwar Richardson of Orangebloods.com.
That leaves Smothers with until Saturday to get right before the Longhorns visit Tennessee for a noon ET kickoff on ABC. If he can’t go, Texas could be walking into Neyland Stadium with a major piece missing from its offense.
Smothers has shared the backfield workload with senior Raleek Brown, but he’s emerged as the Longhorns’ most productive runner. Through three games, he sits 11th in the SEC with 198 rushing yards on 41 carries.
His biggest moment came in Texas’ 24-23 comeback win over then-No. 7 Ohio State. Smothers carried 21 times for 74 yards and scored the go-ahead touchdown with 25 seconds left in the fourth quarter, the kind of finish that can change the feel of a season.
If he’s sidelined Saturday, the pressure only rises on Arch Manning. Texas has already seen some uneven play from the junior quarterback, including a shaky showing in a 30-6 win over UTSA last week. Manning completed 16 of 32 passes for 161 yards and two touchdowns, but he also looked rattled at times.
There’s another layer to this one, too. Manning will be playing in the same stadium tied to his uncle Peyton’s alma mater, and Peyton has said he’s rooting for his nephew, putting family ahead of school loyalty.
Texas enters the game at 3-0 and ranked No. 1, while Tennessee is 3-0 and sitting at No. 14. DraftKings Sportsbook had the Longhorns as four-point favorites as of Thursday, but Smothers’ status could swing plenty before kickoff.
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