Texas football takes on the Arkansas Razorbacks this weekend at DKR Memorial Stadium after a heartbreaking loss to the Georgia Bulldogs in week 12. However, fans have to realize that Kirby Smart has been in this conference for a long time. He knows how the SEC teams play and did his due diligence to eliminate any chance the Longhorns would have to win that game.
Getting back to this weekend's game, the Longhorns are looking to get back into the College Football Playoff race after dropping out of the top twelve teams.
One possible way to re-enter is to blow the Arkansas Razorbacks out of the water. Let's look at four bold predictions this weekend that could get Texas Football back into the College Football Playoff conversation again.
1. Stop throwing screen passes
One of the things that drove me crazy about last week was the number of wide receiver screens the Longhorns threw against the Bulldogs. There are times when that will work, but not against an elite defense like Georgia's. I want to see Steve Sarkisian limit the screens to under 20 this week.
He needs to have an offensive explosion to get back into the College Football Playoffs. Time to let Manning use his arm and sling the ball down the field. Do that, and the committee might consider moving the Longhorns up the rankings.
2. No conservative offense
Going off the previous bold prediction, I don't want to see the Longhorns have a rough week offensively against the Razorbacks. That's the last thing Texas needs to get back into the top 12 for the playoffs. My second bold prediction is that the Longhorns will have over 375 yards of offense against the Razorbacks this weekend. Recording that many yards on offense will get the committee to consider bumping up the Longhorns for next week's rankings.
3. Colin Simmons legacy game
Colin Simmons might be on his own this week after Anthony Hill Jr. got injured against the Bulldogs last weekend. It would be the perfect time to help the Longhorns move up the rankings and boost his NFL Draft stock.
My third bold prediction is that Simmons will record three sacks and nine solo tackles. The Longhorns have to limit how many yards the Razorbacks get in Austin this weekend. Simmons is the type of player who can help a team reach that goal.
4. Have Taylen Green running for his life
I don't want to see Razorbacks quarterback Taylen Green get injured this weekend, but I do want to see him run for his life from the Longhorns' defense. My final bold prediction is that Green will throw for less than 200 yards against the Longhorns.
Texas has a fantastic pass rush that can force quarterbacks to scramble for their lives. Sarkisian needs his defensive coordinator to dial up the pass rush this weekend.