Fall camp is underway across the SEC, so it’s time to get some overreactions and observations in. Your team is healthy, the schedule is manageable, and the amount of hope floating around the program is absolutely off the charts. Still, every team has some questions.
Here are three burning questions for every SEC team. Next up, Texas.
1. Is the run game going to be fixed?
For the first four years of the Steve Sarkisian era at Texas, the Longhorns averaged over 2,400 yards rushing per season. Last year, the number dipped to 1,600. The skill players Texas has in their passing game this year are as good as anyone in the country.
The Longhorns went out and got the top receiver in the portal in Cam Coleman as well as two elite running backs and a right tackle to help up front and in the run game.
In 2023 and 2024, Texas ran for over 100 yards in 23 of their 24 regular season games. Last season, they were held to under 100 yards on the ground in five of their regular season games. That includes two of their three losses. If the offense is going to live up to its potential this season, they’ll need to get the ground game going and going early.
2. What does the defense look like in year one of Will Muschamp?
Will Muschamp is basically a US Congressman when it comes to his job status around the SEC. There are no term limits for Mushcamp. This is his seventh stint as a coach on an SEC staff. This tenure began after Texas unexpectedly fired Pete Kwiatkowski as their defensive coordinator at the end of last season.
Muschamp is regarded as one of the best defensive minds in college football. However, he hasn’t called defensive plays in over six years. That will change this year, and he will be the primary defensive play caller for Steve Sarkisian’s team.
The Longhorns’ defensive numbers dropped from 2024 to 2025 allowing almost five more points per game and 45 yards per game. The roster is loaded, and there’s some really elite young talent on defense. Muschamp will need to get them back near the top of the league if they are going to win a national title like many in Austin expect.
3. Will the backup for Arch Manning be ready?
In the last two seasons, 13 of the 16 teams in the league have had to start at a backup quarterback for at least one game. Nowhere has that been more prevalent than Texas. The Longhorns have had at least one game where a backup quarterback was called in during a non-blowout situation in each of the last six seasons.
Arch Manning is very tough, and built to endure the physicality of the SEC. But, will Karle Lacey be up to speed with the offense so there’s not a severe drop off if Manning does go out? That question has had to be asked, and answered, more and more over the last two years in the league.
