Texas cannot afford to beat itself
After the defense forced a huge stop to give Texas the ball with 3:42 left, Texas had a chance to make this a low-pressure finish, but they seem allergic to those. Raleek Brown picked up six yards on first down, but a holding call was declined and resulted in a tackle for loss; then a false start by Michael Masunas turned a 3rd and 5 with a chance to kill even more clock into a 3rd and 10. Missouri tried to give the ball back on a muffed punt, but Texas couldn’t fall on it, setting up a dramatic
finish.
In a game where the referees were a big part of the narrative, Texas didn’t do itself any favors, finishing with six penalties for 65 yards, one of which negated a 34-yard pickup by the offense. All three of the Longhorns’ defensive penalties were automatic first downs. That could have been the story of the game if Texas doesn’t close out the Tigers.
Arch Manning can play winning football
Most of this year, the defense has been one of the best units in the country, and the offense—specifically Arch Manning—has betrayed them in key spots. That wasn’t the case against Missouri, and the Longhorns benefited. Manning played within himself and kept the offense on track for most of the game, and he played his best game of the year. When he connected with Raleek Brown for the 23-yard go-ahead touchdown, it felt like a cathartic moment for Texas. He finished with 297 yards and three touchdowns, completing 74% of his passes and looking like the elite quarterback Texas fans expected.
Manning looked more decisive, more willing to take the easy yardage when he needed to, and ultimately put Texas in position to win. He did a good job spreading the ball around to his playmakers, with six players getting multiple receptions, with Jermaine Bishop and Raleek Brown both grabbing touchdowns. If Texas can get this level of play from Arch Manning through the rest of the year, they will have much better fortunes.
Texas can finish games
Part of the Longhorns’ biggest issue in their two losses this year was their inability to close out games, but that wasn’t the case against Missouri. Texas tied the game with five minutes left and held Missouri to a three-and-out, then forced a fumble that took the ball deep into Missouri territory, capped by a Raleek Brown touchdown run. Then, they shut down Missouri on their last-gasp drive to set up Texas in an unfamiliar position, the victory formation.
The team hasn’t shown any killer instinct, but it accelerated through the finish and ended the game on a high note. This is the kind of game Texas fans and coaches hoped to see all year: smothering defense and an offense explosive enough to come away with comfortable wins in big games.
