34-20 Rally: Arch Manning, Texas Dodged Third Loss, Kept College Football Playoff Hopes Alive

Manning leads the comeback

No. 7 Texas was close to a third regular-season defeat before rallying past No. 18 Missouri. The 34-20 victory improved the Longhorns to 7-2 and kept their playoff hopes alive.

Manning completed 28 of 38 passes for 297 yards, with three touchdowns and no interceptions. His 74 percent completion rate was his best in a road game, and the three scoring throws matched his career high on the road.

He opened by completing eight of his first nine passes. Each touchdown pass covered at least 20 yards, including a 23-yard connection with Raleek Brown that gave Texas a 27-20 lead with 5:03 left.

A key play seals control

Texas made several important plays late, including Graecson Littleton’s 44-yard fumble return to inside the Missouri 6. The Longhorns held their lead and closed out the win. Manning was sacked three times, but the account places more responsibility for those sacks on the offensive line. His performance also marked the first road game of his college career without an interception.

Playoff prospects remain uncertain

The win keeps Texas among the teams in the playoff discussion, though a top-four seed appears unlikely. The article says the Longhorns could move up a spot or two, depending on the weekend’s results.

Texas has beaten four teams currently ranked by the CFP committee, including No. 10 Mississippi, No. 12 Ohio State and No. 13 Tennessee. The account lists only those three ranked wins, despite saying there are four.

Next week, Texas visits No. 14 LSU, described as its toughest remaining game on paper. The Longhorns also have their late-season rivalry game with Texas A&M ahead.

Avoiding a third defeat matters

The article says the SEC’s depth could lead to a change in that pattern, but it is not certain. For Texas and other two-loss teams, avoiding another defeat remains the clearest way to stay out of the committee’s hands.