Texas football is ready to host their third home game of the season as it takes on the Sam Houston State Bearkats at DKR Memorial Stadium on Saturday night. After a very rough performance against the UTEP Miners last weekend, Arch Manning and the Longhorns aim to correct their mistakes and refine their game before facing the Florida Gators. A massive blowout win against the Bearkats is just what the doctor ordered for the Longhorns this weekend.
Even though the Longhorns will have multiple players sitting out this weekend, they should be able to handle a 0-3 Bearkats team that has lost by double digits in each game this season. That means we could be in for some seriously lopsided stats from the Longhorns in Austin.
Let's go ahead and look at four bold predictions for the Longhorns against the Bearkats this weekend.
1. Super Arch Manning
Manning had a week to forget as a quarterback against the Miners, and there were times when he threw behind and overthrew his receivers. He knows he's got to get better if the Longhorns want to have a chance in the SEC Conference this season. I think he will turn things around and throw for over 300 yards this weekend. The Bearkats' secondary, led by Senior cornerback Emon Allen, will look to stop Manning from achieving this bold prediction.
2. Manning leads the team in rushing yards
I know this sounds really crazy, but I think Manning could also lead the team in rushing yards this weekend. With the way the running backs are currently injured for the Longhorns, they could use Manning's legs to get the offense moving down the field. That's why, when there are no receivers now wide open for him to throw to, he needs to tuck the football and run. We saw last week when Manning scrambled around and found the end zone.
3. Sam Houston's passing game gets completely shut down
The Longhorns' secondary did a good job against the Ohio State Buckeyes by not letting them catch many passes, except for one that resulted in a touchdown. The Bearkats haven't played an elite secondary this season so far, and that's why my third bold prediction will be the Bearkats having under 175 yards passing this week. Hunter Watson might be out of options to throw to by the time Colin Simmons finds him in the backfield. It's time to shut down the air around DKR Memorial Stadium this weekend.
4. Blitzing the Bearkats
I really want to see the Longhorns' defensive line create havoc by disguising their defense this weekend and blitzing Watson repeatedly. I think the Longhorns could have over six sacks against the Bearkats. The Longhorns have been able to apply pressure pretty regularly during the course of the season. It's time to start testing out some sneaky blitz packages that could keep the Bearkats guessing. Colin Simmons and Anthony Hill Jr. could have a week to remember.