The Texas Longhorns' final Week 8 availability report is here, and it has only added pressure for quarterback Arch Manning to step up to the plate.
The pressure was already at an all-time high, with calls for Manning to ride the bench becoming deafening. However, with running back Hollywood Smothers officially being ruled out in the final report, Manning is going to have to play an even bigger role on the offensive side of the ball.
Of course, Texas will still have RB2 Raleek Brown to carry the rock out of the backfield, but even the Horns' RB3, freshman Derrek Cooper, spent a little time on the availability report this week and was only listed as "probable" the night before kickoff.
Simply put, the offense doesn't have its usual depth to support Manning in the backfield, and that means he will have to actually "let it rip," as he likes to say.
Texas depleted on both sides of the ball in Week 8
The offense isn't the only unit missing some key players this week, with star edge-rusher Colin Simmons sidelined with a sprained ankle that he suffered last week in the Horns' loss to the Florida Gators.
Additionally, fellow edge rusher Richard Wesley was ruled "out" on the final report, as were wide receiver Kaliq Lockett and offensive lineman Jaydon Chatman.
The offensive line has already been shaky, growing increasingly questionable as the first half of the season unfolded. So, missing Chatman and possibly being without fellow OL Jackson Christian only further depleted an already problematic unit.
That only further adds pressure, quite literally, to Manning's game, with the Ole Miss pass-rushing effort going up against an offensive line that has struggled to protect its quarterback even when it's at full strength.
Also read: Texas should look for Arch Manning to 'fight back' for the respect and trust he's lost
Manning will enter the game on bench watch, and with this many supporting characters stuck on the sidelines, he undeniably has to play a nearly flawless game to keep his job as QB1.
Arch Manning has to re-prove he deserves the QB1 job vs. Ole Miss Rebels
So far this season, Manning has looked far from the highly-touted quarterback he was supposed to be. In fact, he's looked far from the quarterback he grew into by the end of last season.
Last year, Manning threw 26 passing touchdowns and seven interceptions. He only has 11 passing TDs halfway through this season and has already thrown five interceptions. Manning ran for 10 touchdowns on the ground and never lost a fumble in 2025. So far this year, he has earned zero rushing touchdowns and had the loss-sealing fumble against Florida in Week 7.
Manning is looking less and less like a Manning. Whether it's all in his head, or if it's on head coach Steve Sarkisian's offensive management, or if it's an actual lack of high-level abilities, he has to play better, or he could be relegated to a QB2 role before we know it.
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