AUSTIN, Texas — After back-to-back losses to unranked teams, Texas Football is No. 19 in this week’s AP poll.
The Horns have tumbled down from the No. 1 spot just two weeks ago.
After a loss in Dallas to Oklahoma and a come-from-behind defeat at home to Florida, some Texas fans are reevaluating the season.
“The optimism… it’s dwindling,” said UT senior Elizabeth Akanji.
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“Beginning of the season, we had all the Heisman conversations about Arch Manning and all that, and then now it’s just like, none of that. All that’s gone now, and it’s like, are we even going to make the playoffs?” said freshman Alexander Zamora.
The Texas Longhorns fell to the Florida Gators on Saturday, Oct. 17 at home (Photo: CBS Austin)
This marks the first time the Horns have lost two games in a row since 2021, head coach Steve Sarkisian’s first season at Texas.
Some fans believe a College Football Playoff bid is still possible, but with no margin for error.
“With two losses for a 10-2 SEC team, it’s possible,” said freshman Guo Zhong. “But if we don’t play perfectly for the rest of the season, I think that we’re done.”
“I still have hope. I still have faith in the team for sure,” said sophomore Timothy Gonzalez. “However, I am a lot more nervous than I was before.”
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When asked what needs to change, many fans we spoke with said the offense needs to find a rhythm.
“Arch is definitely in his head, Sark’s in his head… It’s just a lot of like repetitive play calling,” said Zamora.
“It’s also on Sark as well,” said sophomore Lucas Omoke. “I mean, he’s also got to play to Arch’s abilities.”
Arch Manning threw a fourth-quarter pick-six in the Sooners’ win at the Red River Rivalry last week.
On Saturday against Florida, Manning fumbled the ball with 1:58 left to play, ending Texas’ final drive and sealing the Gators’ 27-24 win.
Chase Dawson, a sophomore, said he feels the fanbase puts undue pressure on Arch due to his last name.
“I just need people to get off his back about, like, the whole Manning thing,” said Dawson. “Like, yes, he’s a Manning, but at the end of the day, he is a college player.”
Senior Krish Naresh agreed.
“I see people blaming Arch. At the end of the day, look, Arch has some more time to develop,” said Naresh. “I think he’s got to work on his throwing motion a little bit, but at the same time, Monday morning quarterback, right? It takes a lot to be on the field and actually do that.”
Looking ahead to Saturday’s matchup against Ole Miss, Naresh said a win will require buy-in from the whole team.
“It’s gotta be a whole team effort, I think,” he said. “Call [Arch] better plays, doing more out zones, et cetera. Just making sure that everyone’s got the right mentality going in. That’s what it takes.”
The Horns host the No. 7 Rebels at 6:30 p.m. Saturday at DKR.