All that preseason hype with a No. 1 ranking, all that buzzing about talent on both sides of the ball and all the excitement surrounding the Arch Manning era are long in the rear-view mirror.
After Saturday’s 29-21 loss to previously 1-3 and reeling Florida in Gainesville, the Texas Longhorns’ championship aspirations are on life support.
After a season-opening, offensively inept loss to Ohio State in Columbus, many wrote that off to the Buckeyes just outplaying the Longhorns in a battle of two great teams. But, since then, Manning has been mediocre, the Horns’ offensive line has struggled to block anybody, and there just aren’t that many electrifying weapons on the perimeter.
All that rang true in the Swamp, as Florida—with true freshman star receiver Dallas Wilson playing for the first time and quarterback DJ Lagway somehow rejuvenated after looking lost throughout the first four games—was the aggressor from the outset.
Texas played catch-up from the outset, and Manning couldn’t hang. He seemingly ran for his life on play after play as the Gators defense pursued. He finished with 263 passing yards, a pair of touchdowns and a pair of interceptions but also led the team with 37 rushing yards.
A defense that had been elite so far this season was gashed by 159 Florida rushing yards and pummeled by a formerly nonexistent Gators passing game.
There may be an outside chance this team can get championship-capable, but this doesn’t look like a team worthy of the playoffs. It looks like one whose hopes are on life support.
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