Joe Rutland
Writer
If any Texas Longhorns fan thinks Saturday’s matchup against No. 9 Vanderbilt is going to be a cakewalk, then think again. This might just pit two of the most highly-visible starting quarterbacks in college football against each other.
Commodores quarterback Diego Pavia is bringing the heat, and then some, to Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on Saturday at noon p.m. Eastern in front of a national television audience.
Of course, No. 20 Texas counters with Arch Manning, who is coming off of leading the Longhorns to a 45-38 overtime win over Mississippi State on the road in Starkville, Miss. But Manning might just miss the Vanderbilt game after suffering a concussion late in last Saturday’s game.
If he can’t go, then look for backup Matthew Caldwell, who threw the game-deciding TD pass last week, to take over at QB in front of a friendly home crowd.
Last season, Quinn Ewers, who’s now in the NFL with the Miami Dolphins, helped lead Texas to a 27-24 victory over Vanderbilt in Nashville. This season, the tables are turned and the Dores are coming to Austin, Texas.
Let’s spend some time talking about Pavia, who’s already struck a Heisman Trophy-like pose in the end zone after scoring a touchdown this season. Pavia comes off as a cocky, arrogant player but he backs it up with some solid statistics.
Through Vanderbilt’s 7-1 overall, 3-1 in SEC play, season so far, Pavia has thrown for 1,698 yards and 15 touchdowns against five interceptions. He’s the straw that stirs up the Dores offense. After two seasons at New Mexico State, Pavia joined Vanderbilt head coach Clark Lea in making the jump to Vanderbilt and SEC play.
While Pavia may be getting ready to have a banner day against the Longhorns, he’s going to go up against one of college football’s best defensive squads. Texas’ defense has been superb this season, totally outperforming the Texas offense in every game.
The Longhorns have stepped up big-time in short-yardage or goal-line stands. The secondary, paced by Malik Muhammad and Michael Taaffe, keeps potential long pass plays to a minimum. Last Saturday, though, a few Mississippi State players found room downfield to make important catches.
Also on defense, linebacker Liona Lefau and EDGE rusher Ethan Burke could deliver solid tackles when squaring up against the Vanderbilt offense.
Pavia also is a run threat, willing to bolt downfield if his receivers are covered. He’s a legit dual threat when on the field. Texas’ defense will have to bring its “A” game once again.
What about Texas’ offense? It needs to find a new gear on Saturday. There cannot be any slip-ups when Manning or Caldwell look downfield for Parker Livingstone, Ryan Wingo and Emmett Mosley V.
Manning/Caldwell also have running backs Quintrevion Wisner and CJ Baxter as options when looking to establish the run game.
Texas needs to get the victory at home. Vanderbilt wants to pull a surprise party, though, in Austin.
Who wins? The team that has its collective stuff together and is willing to lay it all on the line. A Longhorns win moves them to 4-1 in SEC play with the final few weeks looming ahead. Texas was the preseason No. 1 pick in The Associated Press’ Top 25 Poll.
The Longhorns have been out of the Top 25 for one week this season before going back into the elite group. The Longhorns can ill afford to lose on Saturday. It’s a game, though, that Texas can win if its offense performs well while its defense keeps Pavia in check.
Let’s see how it all pans out in front of a rowdy home crowd and a host of eyeballs on the ABC telecast at DKR-Texas Memorial.
Sean McDonough and Greg McIlvoy will be on the call for ABC. For the Longhorns Radio Network around Texas and on SiriusXM, it’ll be longtime “Voice of the Longhorns” Craig Way and Roger Wallace in the booth with Will Matthews along the sidelines.
Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning suffered a concussion in last Saturday’s 45-38 overtime win over Mississippi State and his status for this Saturday’s game against No. 9 Vanderbilt has been in question. On Thursday, according to the SEC Availability Report for No. 20 Texas, Manning was listed as questionable. Also listed as questionable was stellar […]
Tony Thomas
Writer
The embattled coach leaves Baton Rouge with a 34-14 record and .708 winning percentage at LSU.
On a Saturday night in Starkville, Miss., the Texas Longhorns, ranked No. 22 in the AP Top 25 Poll at the time, were down and pretty much out against Jeff Lebby and his Mississippi State team. Then, the Longhorns started to make a comeback. Texas was down 31-14 at one point. Texas head coach Steve […]
