Texas Football Bold Predictions Entering SEC Play

Austin, TX – Texas Football is gearing up to face the Mississippi State Bulldogs next week, marking the start of their inaugural SEC conference schedule. As the Longhorns embark on this historic journey, one of the biggest questions surrounds the health of starting quarterback Quinn Ewers, who is recovering from an abdominal strain. Arch Manning might be stepping in as the starter if Ewers isn't fully healed, setting the stage for an exciting season opener in the SEC. Could the Longhorns make a statement in their first year in the conference? Here are four bold predictions for the Longhorns as they enter SEC play.

Arch Manning Gets an SEC Win Before Quinn Ewers

Arch Manning could start next week against Mississippi State if Quinn Ewers needs more time to recover. While this is Ewers’ offense, Texas Head Coach Steve Sarkisian will likely be cautious with his star quarterback, especially with the high-stakes Red River Showdown against Oklahoma looming. Manning showcased his potential last week, proving he can step in when needed. If Manning starts, he could lead the Longhorns to their first SEC win before Ewers returns to the lineup. It would be a historic debut for Manning in conference play, setting the tone for his promising career.

Quinn Ewers Wins the SEC MVP

Despite missing some time due to injury, Quinn Ewers is still in a prime position to make a run for the SEC MVP award. Ewers has shown flashes of brilliance this season, and if he returns fully healthy, he could dominate SEC defenses. With the talent around him, particularly in the receiving corps and a solid offensive line, Ewers has all the tools to succeed in his first SEC season. Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart is having a breakout year and will challenge Ewers, but if Texas reaches the SEC Championship game, Ewers could find himself in the MVP conversation—and possibly even in the race for the Heisman Trophy.

Texas Wins Out The Remainder of the Regular Season.

In their inaugural SEC season, Texas faces a intimidating schedule, with the most challenging stretch being back-to-back games against ranked opponents Oklahoma and Georgia. If the Longhorns can come out on top in these matchups, the rest of their SEC schedule appears significantly more manageable. While surprises and upsets are common in the SEC, Texas has the talent and depth to handle the competition.

Most Longhorn fans aren't too concerned about Texas A&M, instead pointing to the Red River Showdown against Oklahoma at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas and the showdown with Georgia at DKR as the two nail-biting games of the season. Similar anticipation surrounded their Week 2 trip to Ann Arbor to face defending national champion Michigan, yet Texas walked away with a dominant 31-12 victory, silencing any doubts. As the Longhorns continue their SEC journey, these pivotal games will define whether they can solidify themselves as top contenders in the conference and beyond.

With ESPN favoring Texas to win out, the Longhorns are positioned to make a legitimate run at the SEC Championship. If they can maintain their focus and avoid any slip-ups, they could punch their ticket to the College Football Playoff once again, solidifying themselves as a top contender in the new conference – and possibly conference champions.

Looking Ahead

As Texas Football enters this new chapter in the SEC, excitement is at an all-time high. Fans are eager to see how the team will perform under the pressures of their new conference. Will Arch Manning step in and lead the Longhorns to victory in his first SEC start? Can Quinn Ewers claim MVP honors? And could Texas truly go undefeated in one of the toughest conferences in college football? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain—Texas is poised to make its mark in the SEC.

If anything has stood the test of time in college athletics, it’s that in the SEC, it just means more. The Longhorns are about to find out exactly what that means as they prepare to face some of the fiercest competition in the nation. Fans and players alike are ready for this new era, and the journey ahead promises to be one for the history books.