The Texas Longhorns are back in the win column, but it didn't come easily, despite a 21-point lead over the Ole Miss Rebels at halftime.
After the Rebels mounted a second-half comeback (something that is becoming commonplace in Texas's matchups) to tie the game at 24 points apiece, the Horns were able to answer and secure the 34-27 victory.
It was undeniably an ugly win, but after back-to-back losses to unranked opponents, a win over the No. 7 Rebels was something to celebrate.
The Longhorns won the game, but when you look more closely at the matchup, there were a few individuals on either side of the aisle for "winners and losers," and that starts with none other than Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian.
LOSER: Steve Sarkisian, Texas head coach
While he got his team back in the win column, there is no doubt that Sarkisian fell short of expectations once again.
The first half had people back in his corner, especially as we saw the Horns unlock quarterback Arch Manning's running capabilities once again. However, allowing Ole Miss to mount a 24-point performance in the second half had folks calling for Sarkisian's head.
If Sark can't get this team to play a complete four-quarter game, he will never be able to lead this team to a National Championship, which is the expectation at the University of Texas. He must do better, or he's going to continue to headline the losing side of these postgame lists.
WINNER: Raleek Brown and Longhorns' run game
While Manning had three turnovers (two interceptions and one lost fumble) in the game, he finally found his footing and not only ran the ball well, but also scored on the ground.
Manning's performance was paired with an elite showing from running back Raleek Brown, who earned a whopping 157 yards on the ground and undoubtedly led the Horns to their fourth-quarter stand.
Even sophomore running back Michael Terry III had a great ground game against Ole Miss, earning 41 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown.
This was also a huge nod to the offensive line. While Texas's O-Line still looked shaky at times when Manning held onto the ball, it performed marvelously on run plays, with tackle Andre Cojoe leading the charge.
LOSER: The Longhorns' discipline
At this point, the lack of discipline, across the board, that the Longhorns put on display every game could be a weekly column.
Against the Rebels, the Horns were called for a whopping 14 penalties, resulting in the loss of 134 yards. This is a pain point that Sarkisian and the rest of the Texas coaching staff have placed an emphasis on this season, but it continues to rear its ugly head at the worst possible time.
If Texas wants to compete at the highest level, which it has fallen short of this year, then it has to get its penalty problems under control. No matter how good your team is, it can't afford to hand nearly a field and a half to the other team off of avoidable mistakes.
WINNER: Jelani McDonald, Texas defensive back
Not only did safety Jelani McDonald bring down the game-sealing interception as time expired, but he also led the team in tackles. He finished the showing with 12 total tackles (seven solo), one pass deflection, and one of Texas's three interceptions.
In the first half, McDonald helped shut down an Ole Miss air-raid offense that is usually dominant, led by quarterback Trinidad Chambliss. He has long been one of the Longhorns' top defensive backs, but he truly showed just how talented he is against the Rebels and undeniably deserves some praise for how he performed.
LOSER: Cam Coleman, Texas wide receiver
Other than the fact that he had to exit the game early due to a shoulder injury, wide receiver Cam Coleman underperformed to the max against Ole Miss.
Two dropped passes, including one that quite literally hit him in the hands and would have been a sure touchdown, led to a lot of people questioning why exactly the Horns paid $3 million to bring him to the 40 Acres.
Of course, we never want to see a player go down with an injury, no matter how they're performing on the field, but Coleman has to step up his in-game performances, or there will continue to be more noise that he is overrated (and overpaid).
WINNER: Rasheem Biles, Texas linebacker
Similarly to McDonald, linebacker Rasheem Biles stepped up when the Texas defense needed him most.
With edge-rushers Colin Simmons and Richard Wesley sidelined due to injuries, the Longhorns were depleted on the defensive side of the ball, but it also made them play with a chip on their shoulder, and that was extremely true of Biles.
He had another of Texas's three interceptions, finishing the game with four total tackles (three solo) and one tackle for loss. His presence just behind the defensive line continues to change the tone of Texas's defense, and he was another massive factor in the Horns shutting down Chambliss and the Rebels.
LOSER: Jeff Banks, Texas special teams coach
Once again, Texas's special teams unit made mistakes that could have proven costly when all was said and done, and special teams coach Jeff Banks should take the brunt of the blame.
Allowing the Ole Miss punter to pull off a 13-yard rush to convert on fourth down, and giving up the onside kick in the fourth quarter to give the Rebels a chance at the last-second Hail Mary, were both on Banks' unit, and there's no other way to look at it.
Sure, return specialist Ryan Niblett had a relatively good performance, but it was nothing to write home about and certainly didn't make up for the mistakes that special teams made throughout the game.
If Sarkisian is anywhere near actually making changes to his support staff, Banks should be the first name on his list.
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