Texas comes to Baton Rouge Saturday night with a 7–2 record, a three game winning streak and plenty of talent capable of making life difficult for LSU. The Longhorns have won consecutive games against Ole Miss, Mississippi State and Missouri, but playing under the lights in Tiger Stadium presents an entirely different challenge.
For LSU, the key to defending its home turf will be identifying the Longhorns who can change a game with a single play. From quarterback Arch Manning to a dangerous receiving corps and an opportunistic defense, Texas has several players the Tigers cannot afford to overlook. Here are five Longhorns who deserve LSU’s attention heading into Saturday’s showdown.
1. Arch Manning, Quarterback
Everything Texas wants to accomplish offensively begins with Arch Manning. The junior quarterback has completed 168 of 254 passes for 2,024 yards, 18 touchdowns and seven interceptions through nine games. His 66.1 percent completion percentage demonstrates the improvement in his passing efficiency, while his ability to extend plays creates additional problems for opposing defenses.
Manning enters Death Valley coming off one of his most efficient performances of the season. Against Missouri, he completed 28 of 38 passes for 297 yards and three touchdowns as Texas secured a 34–20 victory. He distributed the football to multiple receivers and helped the Longhorns score 14 fourth quarter points to pull away.
Despite those numbers, Manning is not untouchable. Texas has surrendered 27 sacks this season, and Manning has thrown seven interceptions. LSU needs to generate pressure without giving him easy escape routes, forcing him to make quick decisions against tight coverage. If the Tigers can disrupt his timing and make him uncomfortable in the pocket, the Texas passing attack becomes much easier to contain.
2. Raleek Brown, Running Back
Raleek Brown has emerged as the centerpiece of the Texas rushing attack, leading the Longhorns with 537 rushing yards and six touchdowns on 109 carries. His 4.9 yards per attempt makes him the team’s most productive regular ball carrier, and his versatility allows Texas to utilize him as both a runner and receiver.
Brown was particularly impressive against Missouri, rushing for 85 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries while adding six receptions for 48 yards and another score. He finished with 133 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns, including both of Texas’ fourth quarter touchdowns. His ability to contribute in multiple phases of the offense makes him difficult to defend with a conventional approach.
LSU cannot allow Brown to turn short passes into explosive gains or consistently reach the second level of the defense. The Tigers need disciplined linebacker play, sound tackling and defensive linemen who can control their gaps. Texas is averaging only about 131 rushing yards per game, which suggests LSU can make the Longhorns more dependent on Manning by taking away Brown’s production on early downs.
3. Ryan Wingo, Wide Receiver
Ryan Wingo is Texas’ leading receiver with 42 receptions for 523 yards and four touchdowns. His combination of size, speed and ability to stretch the field makes him one of the Longhorns’ most dangerous offensive weapons. He is capable of creating explosive plays downfield, but Texas also uses him on shorter routes designed to get the football into his hands quickly.
Wingo returned to action against Missouri after appearing on the injury report earlier in the week. He caught six passes for 53 yards and added a six yard rush, demonstrating his importance to the offense even when he is not producing lengthy receptions. He also received nine targets, the most of any Texas receiver in the game.
For LSU, the priority is preventing Wingo from getting behind the secondary. The Tigers must maintain disciplined coverage, challenge his releases and make tackles immediately after the catch. If LSU can eliminate Wingo’s explosive opportunities, Manning will have to rely more heavily on underneath throws and sustained drives rather than quick strikes.
4. Emmett Mosley V, Wide Receiver
Emmett Mosley V has become an increasingly important part of the Texas passing attack, particularly with injuries affecting other members of the Longhorns’ receiving corps. He has recorded 504 receiving yards this season, giving Manning another legitimate threat capable of making plays beyond the first down marker.
Against Missouri, Mosley led Texas with 85 receiving yards on five catches, averaging 17 yards per reception. His longest gain covered 31 yards, and his production helped Manning move the football against a ranked SEC opponent. With defenses focusing on Wingo, Mosley has the opportunity to exploit favorable matchups elsewhere in the secondary.
The challenge for LSU will be balancing its coverage responsibilities. Concentrating too much attention on Wingo could leave Mosley with opportunities to exploit the middle of the field or find openings along the sidelines. LSU’s defensive backs need to communicate effectively, maintain leverage and force Texas receivers to earn their yardage against contested coverage.
5. Rasheem Biles, Linebacker
Texas linebacker Rasheem Biles might not attract the same national attention as Manning or the Longhorns’ offensive stars, but he presents a significant challenge for LSU’s offense. Biles leads Texas with three interceptions this season, demonstrating his ability to recognize passing concepts and create turnovers.
Biles delivered another productive performance against Missouri, finishing with six total tackles, two pass breakups and three quarterback hurries. His ability to contribute in coverage while also pressuring opposing quarterbacks makes him a versatile piece of the Texas defense. He can disrupt passing lanes, attack the backfield and punish quarterbacks who fail to account for his positioning.
For LSU, protecting the football will be essential. The Tigers cannot afford to give Texas additional possessions through careless throws or predictable passing concepts. LSU’s offensive line must identify pressure, while the quarterback needs to recognize Biles before the snap and avoid forcing passes into crowded areas. Keeping Biles from making momentum changing plays would eliminate one of Texas’ most valuable defensive weapons.
The Bottom Line: LSU Must Control the Game’s Biggest Playmakers
Texas has enough talent to challenge any defense in the SEC, but the Longhorns are not without weaknesses. Through nine games, Texas is averaging 363.1 yards of total offense and 31.1 points per game. Those numbers are respectable, but the Longhorns have also surrendered 27 sacks, lost seven fumbles and thrown seven interceptions.
That gives LSU a clear path to success. The Tigers must pressure Manning, limit Brown’s production, eliminate explosive receptions from Wingo and Mosley, and avoid giving Biles opportunities to change the game defensively. Winning first down, tackling consistently and protecting the football will be just as important as producing highlight plays.
The advantage LSU possesses is the setting. Tiger Stadium on a Saturday night is one of college football’s most intimidating environments, and the Longhorns will have to handle the noise, defensive pressure and physicality of an LSU team determined to defend its home field.
Texas brings five dangerous players who can influence the outcome, but LSU has the talent and opportunity to dictate how the game is played. If the Tigers can neutralize these individual threats and force Texas into uncomfortable situations, Death Valley could provide another memorable Saturday night.
Sources
- University of Texas Athletics: Official 2026 Football Statistics
- University of Texas Athletics: Texas Defeats Missouri 34–20, November 7
- University of Texas Athletics: Texas vs. Missouri Official Box Score
- FOX Sports: Texas Longhorns Season Statistics and Leaders
- SEC: Official Student Athlete Availability Reports
- Inside Texas: November 6 Injury Report and Ryan Wingo Update
