Texas is a messy team, but they are winning games. The Longhorns found a way to beat a ranked opponent again with a 22-21 come-from-behind victory over LSU on Saturday night. The win keeps the Longhorns alive in the College Football Playoff race even though their quarterback played poorly. Arch Manning completed only 19 of 35 passes for 174 yards and threw three interceptions during the game. He also managed just one touchdown pass. That single moment cements Texas in the playoff conversation barring a total collapse over the next two weeks. According to ESPN, the SEC still has a shot to get two first-round byes and earn the most playoff bids.
A Family Legacy in Death Valley
Arch Manning knows exactly how to handle the pressure at LSU. Along the left sideline, Raleek Brown secured a 4-yard touchdown pass with three seconds remaining. This dramatic win happened in the state where Manning was raised. He also attended games as a kid at this very stadium. “That’s what it’s all about: Death Valley at night, two-minute drive, let’s go,” Manning said. Any lingering hopes of the four-loss Tigers playing their way back into the conversation are virtually eliminated by the victory. Manning’s grandfather and uncle both led comebacks at Tiger Stadium before him. He followed that family legacy by shaking off the bad stats to secure the W.
The win means the world to the quarterback who grew up around many LSU fans. “It means the world,” Manning said. “I was pointing out to some of my teammates where I sat at these games growing up. So, just coming back home, getting it done in the last few seconds, it’s a memory I’ll have for the rest of my life.” He rushed for an early score too, showing he can make plays with his legs when his arm struggles. His father watched from the front row behind the end zone when the score was made. They embraced after the game when the pressure finally lifted.
SEC Power Shifts After Kentucky Falls
The landscape for the playoff changed because of losses by other teams. Kentucky lost at home to Florida, which likely drops the Wildcats out of the committee’s third ranking. On Tuesday night, the committee’s top 12 could feature four teams from the SEC. The mighty Big Ten is down to just two teams in the mix. Notre Dame and Boise State join two ACC teams, two Big 12 teams, and two Big Ten teams in this varied field. Georgia remains the top team after dismantling Missouri on Saturday. They jumped out to a 31-7 halftime lead in that game.
Committee chair Hunter Yurachek said the group is very high on the Bulldogs. “The committee is very high on Georgia,” Yurachek said following the group’s second ranking. They have great analytics and a great defensive unit. Gunner Stockton is a key part of their offense too. Texas might not look perfect, but they are 8-2 and 5-2 in the SEC. They beat a CFP top 25 team in a tough environment. Texas needs to dodge a catastrophic upset during the next two weeks to retain their spot.
