Following a week filled with distractions and coming off an emotional win, it was time for Texas to move on. This was an easy letdown spot after a big win and before conference play begins.
Things started well early with Rasheem Biles’ interception, followed by Arch Manning throwing a touchdown pass to Cam Coleman. Give UTSA’s defense some credit, but that was about where Texas’ offensive efficiency ended.
Let’s get into some takeaways from both sides of the ball.
Arch Manning Needs to Be More Consistent
I won’t say Arch played as poorly as he did against UTEP last year, but it wasn’t far off. Completing 17 of 33 passes for 164 yards with a 30.6 QBR is not going to cut it moving forward.
A team with the talent advantage Texas had over UTSA can win with a D-level offensive performance like the one Texas had, but that will not work in SEC play. Arch has started enough games now that he should not be putting together performances like that.
It is extremely important that Arch puts this one behind him and shows what he is capable of next week against Tennessee. This team will go as far as Arch takes it.
We know what the defense, offensive line and wide receivers are capable of. They are good enough to be a championship-level team. The question is whether the quarterback play is good enough.
That question remains, but we should find out soon enough.
Let’s Give the Texas Defense the Credit It Deserves
The Texas defense was a question mark entering the season. The biggest question was whether it would be good enough to help Texas win a championship.
Through three games, the answer is absolutely yes.
Many questioned whether moving on from PK and bringing in Muschamp would pay off immediately. I would say the Ohio State game showed Muschamp was needed for this team, and he has improved this team’s ceiling.
UTSA finished the game with just 142 yards of offense, and Texas did that without Colin Simmons for most of the game.
The defense will do its part, but it cannot do it alone. It needs more help from the offense.
For three quarters against Ohio State, the Texas offense was a no-show. It was not much better against UTSA. We will find out a lot about Texas as a whole against Tennessee this week.
