CJ Vogel

Steve Sarkisian told reporters on Monday that Texas running back CJ Baxter will NOT play this weekend vs. Sam Houston State. Baxter was injured with a hamstring issue on the first play of the game against UTEP. "We don't think it's overly significant," Sarkisian said. "But he'll be out this week to get him ready for SEC play," Texas rolled out James Simon, Christian Clark and Jerrick Gibson as a result. Sarkisian did not provide a firm status on Tre Wisner who has been sidelined with a hamstring issue as well. Texas will evaluate the third year running back as the week continues.

I don't believe that is what I am pushing here. More, there is an avenue to get more out of Manning than what we are seeing currently. His legs are no doubt a weapon, and until the improvement is seen with the arm, I think it is in Texas' best interest to utilize that part of his game more when SEC play nears.

What about this 9 OL look? lol

FWIW, seven quarterbacks in the SEC had 100 rush attempts a year ago. Arch sits at 24 att. through three games. On pace for 96 over the 12 game regular season. That feels like the sweet spot. 7–12 rush attempts per game against the OU's, A&M's, UGA's etc. They are going to need each and every yard they can find given what we have seen through three weeks.

Given how QB1 has played, I am not sure the drop off to QB2 would be as significant as we would have expected entering the season. Arch is tough, he enjoys running the football. Utilize his legs.

I understand this won't be a popular take, but I do believe this would be successful in the Texas offense. After all, Arch is your leading rusher and leading TD scorer on the ground.

Opinion on how to use Arch Moving Forward Through three weeks, I think it is more than fair to say the Texas offense remains a work in progress. The learning curve has yet to narrow and oddly after playing UTEP, I feel like there are more questions and unknowns than after playing Ohio State. Still, that does not mean the season is over, nor does it mean there can't be redeemable qualities for the Texas offense. I am certain the offense does not look as bad as it did on Saturday if DeAndre Moore, Emmett Mosley V, Tre Wisner and CJ Baxter were healthy. That is four of your top six playmakers sidelined to injury and it is week three. Additionally, I am sure the play of Arch Manning improves as well with those playmakers on the field. But until that happens, Texas has to work with what they have on the field – and with what the quarterback is currently giving you as well. Which is where I wanted to go with this point. I have long said you only need 24 points to win games at Texas over the last two years with the way the defense has been constructed. ••• In fact, since the beginning of 2023, the Longhorns are 25–2 when they score 21 points or more. Contrarily, Texas is 2–4 when they score less than 20 points. ••• Come SEC play on the first weekend of October, Texas is going to be met with SEC level talent on the defensive side of the ball. The issues we have seen offensively will be magnified if they are not cleaned up. However, I do think there is a remedy in here for the Texas offense. And it includes the usage of Arch Manning. This is not the gunslinger that was expected. You cannot have ten conseuctive incompletions and expect success in football games in the SEC. But you can have success with Arch's legs. I mentioned in postgame videos over the weekend that Texas may need to turn Arch Manning into Haynes King. At first it was an off the cuff that I didn't necessarily believe wholeheartedly. But the more I rewatched the Texas game this weekend and more I saw of games elsewhere across the country, the more I found myself buying into the sentiment that Arch Manning may just need to become Haynes King offensively. King, a junkyard dog of a quarterback, is tremendous with his legs. There is grit in his game and a toughness not often found given his workload in the running game. On Saturday morning, Georgia Tech and King upset Clemson 24–21 with King eclipsing 100 rush yards on 24 rush attempts. Georgia Tech's final possession ended in a 55-yard game-winning field goal where the Jackets traveled 38 yards on 10 plays to get into field goal range. On those ten snaps, five were designed runs for King who racked up 18 yards. It was ugly, but it worked. On the afternoon, King ended up 20-28 passing for 211 yards, no touchdowns and no interceptions. Given the struggles and inconsistencies of the Texas offense and Arch Manning specifically, I think we would all take a day like that against a top 25 team. Now, it is up to Arch to complete the easy passes. The quick curls, the checkdowns, etc. But our @Rod Babers pointed it out on Sunday, there is a transition to using Arch Manning's legs more than we have ever seen with a Sarkisian-coached quarterback. Again, 25–2 are the Texas Longhorns when scoring 21 points or more dating back to 2023. Texas can get to 21 points in SEC play with the legs of Arch Manning and Sarkisian opting to take the points when presented in the red area. Who knows, maybe there is some confidence that returns to Manning's game with his arm if this approach is taken. As a result, maybe something clicks with his arm and the passing game returns to what was expected in the preseason. If that is the case, that is tremendous. But I can not sit here and type to you that that is going to happen. Texas is running out of time to experiment ahead of SEC play. But you know the legs of Manning are a weapon and the kid is a tough cookie. Swallow your pride, Sark. Until further notice, it is time to crown Arch the next Haynes King.

Simon certainly looked impressive.

Those 142 rushing attempts have gone for an average of 3.75 yards per rush. In 2025, that rushing average specifically from running backs sits at 4.29 yards per rush.

Doing some digging on how putrid the Texas running game has been this season and came across this statistic dating back to 2024. *** The last rush attempt by a Texas running back to reach 20 yards or more was Jerrick Gibson's 21-yard rush against Clemson in the 4th quarter of the 2024 College Football Playoff round one game. Texas has had 142 rush attempts by running backs since their last 20 yard rush. 20 yards is obviously a big play. So what about 15 yards? Well, in their last 142 rush attempts, the Texas Longhorns have ONE rush attempt eclipsing 15 yards on the ground. That was an 18-yard run by CJ Baxter against San Jose State.

Yes, Roy.

I for one am not a fan of this 😂

Neto received more snaps in W2 vs SJSU than Stroh, yes, that did happen.

Neto has had more than a proper chance. There is a reason why he was unable to win the job straight up out of camp.

Jonah Williams would be great, but Nick Brooks or Nate Kibble up front. See if anyone can unseat the five starters and push that unit forward.

The least surprising headline I have seen since Sydir Mitchell no longer being on the LSU roster.

Rocking with 41–10.

It's legit

2027 Lakeview Centennial (Texas) cornerback Montre Jackson tells OTF he will be visiting the Texas Longhorns this weekend for the matchup against UTEP. Jackson is currently ranked as the No. 20 cornerback in the country and No. 178 player in the country by 247Sports. He tells OTF that he remains in contact with the Texas staff regularly and now he will be in Austin for a game visit. The Garland native possesses elite speed, boasting a 10.39 wind-aided 100m in the spring. In April, Jackson clocked a wind-legal 10.53 100m. The four-star cornerback was at Oklahoma last weekend and the Longhorns will have their crack at impressing one of the top prospects in DFW.

Feels favorable once again.

There have been multiple times where a breaking route down the field comes open where Arch is already checking down to a RB in the flats. That to me is his internal clock telling him he is under pressure when he is not. In translation, that means he does not trust his offensive line... yet.

Fundamentals for Arch will improve the more he feels comfortable in the pocket. That was the case from week 1 to week 2, like @harveycmd mentioned. Arch was definitely rattled on the road against Ohio State, and again, I will die by the assertion that he was expecting a Georgia-like front seven with constant pressure which just never came. Fundamentals for Arch will never be pure, that's what comes with his mobility and arm strength. He can get away with a lot due to the arm talent. But the pocket technique is whe you will continue to see improvement as long as he is feeling comfortable in the pocket. It will take steps forward each week of the season.

Two straight weeks where Michael Taaffe is probably the next guy up. Taaffe has led Texas in tackles each week of the season so far, yet still waiting for that splashy big time play that creates a turnover or negative play. Regardless, a strong start to the season for the veteran safety.