Week 8 of the college football season doesn’t feature many marquee games, but there is one notable matchup.

The biggest game of the week is the Ole Miss Rebels going on the road to play the Texas Longhorns, which seemingly is a playoff elimination game.

Ole Miss is 5-1 overall and 3-1 in the SEC, with its lone loss coming in blowout fashion to the Florida Gators. Texas, meanwhile, has lost back-to-back games to the Oklahoma Sooners and Gators.

A 10-2 team likely will get into the College Football Playoffs, while three losses likely won’t. Although Ole Miss only has one loss, they still have to host the Georgia Bulldogs on Nov. 7 which is a very tough game, and to me, likely is a loss.

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So, the Rebels can’t afford to lose to Texas, as I expect them to lose to Georgia as well, which would end their playoff hopes. It would be a massive disappointment for the Rebels, after Trinidad Chambliss was given an extra year of eligibility and is one of the best quarterbacks in all of college football.

However, Ole Miss’ defense has been terrible this season, which could very well be the reason why the Rebels could miss the playoffs.

As for Texas, Arch Manning has been brutal, and there are talks of him being benched. The Longhorns offense hasn’t been good, and blame goes to both Manning and head coach Steve Sarkisian.

Sarkisian could be coaching for his job on Saturday, as losing three straight could be it for him, as it would also end any playoff hopes for Texas, who entered the year as one of the favorites to win the national championship.

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Texas losing star defensive lineman Colin Simmons is a massive blow to the Longhorns defense, which is the reason why they have won games this season.

If Manning can’t lead Texas to a win here, he could very well be benched for the rest of the season and play elsewhere.

When this game was on the schedule earlier in the year, many thought this could be a battle of two undefeated teams, but it now means more as the loser’s season is likely over.

Arch Manning could be the difference-maker in Texas vs. Ole Miss

Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) runs during the NCAA football game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Texas on Sept. 12, 2026.
Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) runs during the NCAA football game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Texas on Sept. 12, 2026.

Arch Manning simply hasn’t been good this season, and he is facing a ton of pressure ahead of Texas’ game against Ole Miss.

Manning hasn’t been good this year, but Golding thinks the quarterback is still elite and Texas’ offense is very dangerous.

“The conception that he’s not an elite player right now is crazy to me,” Golding said of Manning. “I’ll get you a 25-play cutup, and he should be the top pick in the draft, and then there’s other things that, to this point, he’d probably like to have back.”

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Golding does think Sarkisian is one of the best offensive-minded play callers in the country and expects him to be on his A-game with Texas’ back against the wall.

However, Sarkisian needs Manning to be better, and he made that clear.

“He’s our starter, but I need to see a better version of Arch Manning,” Sarkisian said.

If Manning struggles, he could very well be benched, as Texas and Ole Miss are both in must-win territory going forward.

Kickoff for Texas vs. Ole Miss is set for 7:30 p.m. ET.

More College Football News

  • Nick Saban makes feelings clear on College Football Playoff expanding to 24 teams
  • Analyst delivers blunt take on potential Arch Manning benching
  • Predicting College Football Playoff after historic, upset-filled Week 7
  • Ohio State Buckeyes are in major trouble after Julian Sayin injury news

This story was originally published by Lindy's Sports on Oct 22, 2026, where it first appeared in the College Football section. Add Lindy's Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Source: Yahoo Sports