Texas arrives in Baton Rouge riding a three game winning streak, ranked among the nation’s top teams and looking every bit like a legitimate SEC contender. But dig beneath the Longhorns’ 7–2 record, and a different picture emerges. Over their last four games, Texas has struggled to protect Arch Manning, failed to establish a consistent rushing attack, committed costly turnovers and repeatedly had trouble converting third downs.

The statistics tell a revealing story. Against Florida, Ole Miss, Mississippi State and Missouri, Texas allowed 13 sacks, converted just 17 of 50 third down opportunities and committed seven turnovers. Those are not the numbers of an offense operating at peak efficiency. Even more concerning for the Longhorns, several of those problems have persisted despite three consecutive victories.

With a Saturday night trip to Tiger Stadium approaching, Texas faces an LSU defense equipped to challenge some of its most vulnerable areas. Here are seven weaknesses that have emerged from the Longhorns’ recent performances, including several made more concerning by injuries.

1. The Offensive Line Has Been a Major Liability

Texas’ biggest offensive problem is protecting Arch Manning. The Longhorns have surrendered 27 sacks through nine games, averaging three per contest. Their last four games provide an even more concerning picture, with 13 sacks allowed during that stretch.

Florida sacked Manning five times in its 27–24 victory over Texas on October 17. Two weeks later, Mississippi State recorded seven sacks despite losing 31–3. Those two games alone accounted for 12 sacks and demonstrated that even an opponent struggling to score can create significant problems for the Texas offensive line.

The situation becomes more complicated with starting offensive tackle Trevor Goosby ruled out for the remainder of the season. Goosby’s absence removes an experienced blocker from an offensive front that already has difficulty keeping defenders out of the backfield. Reserve offensive lineman Cole Hutson was also listed as questionable in Thursday’s SEC availability report.

Texas has enough offensive talent to overcome occasional protection breakdowns, but its inability to consistently protect the quarterback remains a serious vulnerability. Against a disciplined defense capable of generating pressure without excessive blitzing, those problems could become even more pronounced.

2. The Running Game Disappears Too Frequently

Texas averages 131.2 rushing yards per game and just 3.6 yards per attempt. For a team with national championship ambitions, that is surprisingly modest production on the ground.

The Longhorns rushed for 99 yards against Florida, 207 against Ole Miss, 60 against Mississippi State and 104 against Missouri. That works out to just 117.5 rushing yards per game over the last four contests. The Ole Miss performance was impressive, but it also highlights how dramatically Texas’ rushing production fluctuates from week to week.

Against Mississippi State, the Longhorns averaged a miserable 1.9 yards per carry on 32 attempts. The inability to consistently gain yardage on early downs creates predictable passing situations, putting additional pressure on Manning and an offensive line already struggling in pass protection.

Injuries have made the situation worse. Running back Hollywood Smothers has been ruled out for the season, leaving Raleek Brown to handle much of the workload. Brown has been productive, but losing an experienced option reduces the depth and flexibility of the Texas rushing attack.

3. Third Down Efficiency Has Become a Recurring Problem

One of the clearest indicators of Texas’ offensive inconsistency is its inability to sustain drives on third down. Over the last four games, the Longhorns have converted only 17 of 50 opportunities, a disappointing 34 percent.

The problems were particularly obvious against Florida and Ole Miss. Texas converted just two of 10 third downs against the Gators, then went three of 13 against the Rebels. That is five successful conversions in 23 attempts across two games, an efficiency rate of just 21.7 percent.

Even in the 31–3 victory against Mississippi State, Texas converted only six of 14 third down opportunities. The Longhorns improved to six of 13 against Missouri, but the overall four game trend remains concerning.

Third down struggles are often connected to problems on earlier downs, and that appears to be the case with Texas. An inconsistent rushing game and frequent negative plays have forced Manning into situations where the defense knows a pass is likely. Until Texas improves its execution on first and second down, sustaining long offensive drives will remain a challenge.

4. Turnovers Are Creating Unnecessary Problems

Texas has committed 14 turnovers through nine games, including seven lost fumbles and seven interceptions. That is a significant number for a team that relies on a strong defense and controlled offensive execution.

The Longhorns have committed seven turnovers in their last four games alone. They lost a fumble against Florida, threw two interceptions and lost a fumble against Ole Miss, lost another fumble against Mississippi State, and lost two fumbles against Missouri.

The Missouri game was especially revealing. Texas won 34–20, but the Longhorns put the football on the ground three times and lost possession twice. Against Ole Miss, Manning’s two interceptions created additional complications in a game Texas eventually won by only seven points.

Turnovers have not prevented Texas from winning recently, but they have repeatedly created opportunities for opponents. Against teams capable of turning those mistakes into touchdowns, the consequences can be considerably more damaging.

5. Penalties Are Undermining an Otherwise Talented Team

Discipline has also been an issue for Texas. The Longhorns have accumulated 60 penalties for 567 yards through nine games, averaging 63 penalty yards per contest.

Their October 24 victory over Ole Miss provided the most dramatic example. Texas committed 14 penalties for 134 yards, repeatedly giving away field position and extending opportunities for the Rebels. Despite winning 34–27, the Longhorns made the game considerably more difficult than necessary.

Texas committed another seven penalties for 65 yards against Missouri. Over the last four games, the Longhorns have been penalized 27 times for 256 yards, an average of 64 penalty yards per game.

Those mistakes become particularly important in difficult road environments. False starts, holding penalties and other procedural errors can quickly turn manageable situations into long yardage problems. Texas has already demonstrated a tendency to make those mistakes, and eliminating them will be essential against LSU.

6. The Offense Is Not Producing Like a National Powerhouse

Texas has one of college football’s most recognizable quarterbacks and a roster filled with talented skill position players. However, the Longhorns’ offensive production has not consistently matched their reputation.

Through nine games, Texas is averaging 363.1 total yards per game, including 231.9 passing yards and 131.2 rushing yards. The Longhorns are scoring 31.1 points per contest, but those numbers are less impressive when compared with the offensive production of the nation’s elite programs.

The inconsistency was particularly evident against Florida and Mississippi State. Texas managed just 272 total yards against the Gators and 280 against the Bulldogs. The Longhorns defeated Mississippi State comfortably, but their defense and opportunistic scoring helped compensate for an offense that struggled to generate sustained yardage.

Texas demonstrated greater offensive balance against Ole Miss and improved its passing production against Missouri. Still, the overall pattern suggests the Longhorns have difficulty consistently controlling games through their offense alone. They can produce explosive plays, but they have not demonstrated that they can sustain that production every week.

7. Injuries Have Reduced Texas’ Depth at Important Positions

Texas enters the LSU game dealing with significant personnel losses, particularly along the offensive line and within the offensive backfield.

Starting offensive tackle Trevor Goosby and running back Hollywood Smothers are out for the season. Tight end Nick Townsend and defensive end Richard Wesley are also ruled out for Saturday. Their absences reduce the Longhorns’ available depth at several positions and require other players to assume larger responsibilities.

Defensive tackle Hero Kanu is another player worth watching. Kanu suffered a reported biceps injury against Missouri and was initially listed as questionable. Thursday’s updated SEC report upgraded him to probable, suggesting he has a good chance of playing. Offensive lineman Cole Hutson was added to the report as questionable.

There is also some good news for Texas. Star edge rusher Colin Simmons and wide receiver Cam Coleman are expected to be available after recent injury concerns. Simmons played only 18 snaps against Missouri while dealing with an ankle injury, and Coleman missed that game with a shoulder issue.

The return of those two players would strengthen Texas considerably. However, the confirmed losses of Goosby and Smothers remain important because they affect two areas where the Longhorns have already struggled: offensive line protection and rushing consistency.

The Biggest Concern for Texas Is How These Problems Connect

Individually, none of these weaknesses makes Texas an easy opponent. The Longhorns have an excellent defense, talented receivers and a quarterback capable of producing impressive performances. Their victories over Ohio State, Tennessee, Ole Miss and Missouri demonstrate that Texas can compete with quality opponents.

The greater concern is how several weaknesses reinforce one another. When Texas struggles to run the football, Manning faces more obvious passing situations. When Manning must throw on predictable downs, opposing defenses can generate additional pressure. That pressure contributes to sacks, stalled drives and potential turnovers.

Penalties only make the situation worse. A holding penalty or false start can turn a manageable third down into a desperate passing situation, creating another opportunity for opposing defenses to attack the quarterback.

That combination explains why Texas can look dominant for one stretch of a game and struggle to move the football during another. The Longhorns have enough talent to overcome mistakes, but their offense has not consistently demonstrated the discipline and efficiency expected from a championship contender.

The Bottom Line: Texas Is Dangerous, but Far From Invincible

Texas deserves credit for winning three consecutive games after back to back losses to Oklahoma and Florida. The Longhorns have demonstrated resilience, defensive toughness and enough offensive firepower to defeat quality SEC competition.

Nevertheless, their recent performances reveal legitimate vulnerabilities. Thirteen sacks allowed, seven turnovers and a 34 percent third down conversion rate over four games are significant warning signs. Add an inconsistent rushing attack, recurring penalties and injuries to important offensive contributors, and the concerns become difficult to dismiss.

For LSU fans, those numbers provide reasons for optimism heading into Saturday night’s matchup in Death Valley. Texas remains a talented football team, but its weaknesses are not theoretical. They have appeared repeatedly against SEC competition, including games the Longhorns ultimately won.

The question Saturday night is whether those problems will resurface when Texas faces a hostile crowd and a defensive front capable of making every offensive possession difficult.

The Longhorns have survived their mistakes recently. Death Valley might not be so forgiving.

Sources

1. University of Texas Athletics: Official 2026 Football Statistics
2. Texas vs. Florida: October 17 Official Box Score
3. Texas vs. Ole Miss: October 24 Official Box Score
4. Texas vs. Mississippi State: October 31 Official Box Score
5. Texas vs. Missouri: November 7 Official Box Score
6. SEC: Official Student Athlete Availability Reports
7. Inside Texas: Updated Texas Injury Report and Hero Kanu Status
8. Houston Chronicle: Colin Simmons and Cam Coleman Expected to Play Against LSU