LIVE Updates: Vanderbilt vs Texas, live score, highlights from the Week 10 SEC matchup originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
No. 9 Vanderbilt vs No. 20 Texas Game Preview
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This game has incredible playoff implications but for very different reasons. If Vanderbilt wins, they control their own playoff destiny to some degree. Conversely though, if Texas wins, they still have a very treacherous path the playoff.
Even if Texas can beat Vanderbilt, going onto also beat No. 5 Georgia and No. 3 Texas A&M is just not likely. If Texas loses to Vanderbilt, their playoff hopes are likely over as that would mean they have two SEC losses. In a conference that has 6 teams with one conference loss or less.
There is good news for Texas as quarterback Arch Manning is off the availability reports and is expected to start this game. Even with Manning under center, the Longhorns offense has just not been as consistent as it has in recent years. While Manning is in range of other top quarterbacks for production, the Texas running game needs a lot more than they’ve been getting.
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Quintrevion Wisner is the leading rusher with only 263 yards and two touchdowns on only a 3.8 yards per carry average. The running game has been down enough that quarterback Arch Manning is the team’s second leading rusher with only two less rushing attempts. Even if Manning plays well throwing the ball, Texas is still going to need some semblance of balance. Otherwise, Vanderbilt could control the time of possession.
Texas was viewed as a title contender before the season began. Starting off in the No. 1 position, they have not lived up to that billing. However, that is not the fault of the defense who are still playing at an elite level. Texas is only one of three teams that have a top 10 defense vs both the run and the pass. Which could very well create opportunities for Texas.
Vanderbilt has the 8th worst offensive line in the Power 4. That number is even more relevant when we look at only pass blocking where they rank 5th to last. If Texas is to make this a competitive game, the Longhorn defense will need to get after Deigo Pavia. Last week Vanderbilt had a tough time protecting Pavia vs Missouri. Who does not rank as high as Texas in pass rush.
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Texas has the ability on defense to keep the game close. If Arch Manning can have one of his better passing games, this could be close. If either of those factors for Texas fall short, this could be a game Vanderbilt controls and they have found multiple ways to win games this season.