When No. 17 Texas hosts Arkansas on Saturday, the spotlight will once again fall on Arch Manning as the Longhorns look to stay alive after a loss to Georgia.
Manning has carried the Texas offense through ups and downs this season, throwing for 2,374 yards and 19 touchdowns while completing 62.7% of his passes. He’ll face an Arkansas defense that has struggled to get stops, ranking 123rd nationally in total defense and allowing 32.3 points per game.
The Razorbacks have particularly labored against the run, but their secondary has also been vulnerable, conceding 245.3 passing yards per game.
Texas will need a better effort after being held to 10 points by Georgia. Manning threw for 251 yards in that game but couldn’t generate consistent scoring drives behind a unit that ranks just 80th in total offense. Penalties have also hurt the Longhorns, who sit 119th nationally with 65.3 penalty yards per game.
Arkansas enters at 2-8 but owns a top-15 offense, led by quarterback Taylen Green and running back Mike Washington. Yet the Razorbacks’ minus-10 turnover margin is among the worst in FBS, a concern against a Texas defense that ranks 12th in takeaways and sixth nationally against the run.
Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC.
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