IT Roundtable: Texas vs. ULM predictions, Arch Manning starting, keys to the game

The Inside Texas staff offers Texas versus ULM predictions and keys to the game, plus analysis on Arch Manning’s first start, Quinn Ewers’ Heisman chances, and what to look forward to entering SEC play.

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It’s Arch Manning‘s first start! What are some things you want to see out of the Longhorns’ QB2 against ULM?

Eric Nahlin – I want to hear him say Omaha, have happy feet, and throw quasi-spirals to wide open receivers. In the absence of that, I’ll take command of the offense, ball security, and accuracy.

Justin Wells – A clean game, smooth reads, and 21 MPH on his next TD run.

Ian Boyd – Clean play. Get through progressions, avoid bad sacks, don’t turn the ball over, and establish mastery of the gameplan and contest.

Paul Wadlington – The backup QB must rely on the run game, minimizing mistakes and being accurate on the 5-7 pass attempts that Steve Sarkisian allows him to throw. Does he know how to quick kick for 3rd and long?

Joe Cook – Can he run Ezekiel’s Wheel? Maybe better said this way, can he make the right reads on RPOs?

Charlie Williams – Take check downs when there and showcase a better internal clock in the pocket.

Texas is a 45.5-point favorite. Do the Longhorns cover the spread?

Eric Nahlin – I’ll say yes but it will probably require a defensive or special teams touchdown.

Justin Wells – I believe they do. The defense is giving up fewer than seven points per game. The Horns will hit 50+ on Saturday.

Ian Boyd – That seems like a lot, ULM doesn’t seem so terrible to me and they’ve had time to prepare for this game. Also, Texas’ back-up plan will now be Trey Owens rather than Arch Manning, so the back-up scoring may be diminished.

Paul Wadlington – The affirmative points to ULM’s overall roster composition, the Texas defense and the explosiveness of the Texas offense. The negative points to the fact that Trey Owens, not Arch Manning, replaces the No. 1 QB so keeping the accelerator pressed firm may not be as easy.

Joe Cook – Yes. Texas has an all-time record of 900-382-32. Steve Sarkisian already has coached four of the top 25 games in terms of total yardage output in Longhorn football history. I’ll make a bold prediction and say in addition to covering the spread, Sarkisian adds a fifth such game to his resume.

Charlie Williams – Yes.

SEC play starts next week. What’s something you’d like for Texas to have accomplished in non-conference play ahead of the matchup with Miss. St. aside from a 4-0 record.

Eric Nahlin – Keep the season point total at 19. I don’t care who you play, you can’t fake your way to allowing less than five points a game.

Justin Wells – No more injuries, for one. Second, establish the second teamers and do it without revealing much in terms of offensive packages heading into SEC play.

Ian Boyd – Loads of valuable reps for freshmen they may need in SEC play. The three obvious ones are Ryan Wingo, Jerrick Gibson, and Colin Simmons.

Paul Wadlington – It would be nice to run the ball a little more authoritatively, but we’re on track for our larger goals on both sides of the ball.

Joe Cook – Health, of course. I’d like to see Texas continue to succeed in short yardage. Texas is 15-for-16 in the red zone this year with 14 touchdowns. Not all of those have been short-yardage scores. I just would like some additional proof of concept after struggles last year.

Charlie Williams – Be completely healthy.

Let’s say Quinn Ewers returns for the MSU game. Can he still win the Heisman?

Eric Nahlin – Of course he can. There’s no real frontrunner right now. Maybe Miller Moss makes a push this weekend or Carson Beck or Jalen Milroe next week. Ewers just needs to climb back in the pocket and stay there. And then ball out against OU and Georgia.

Justin Wells – Yes. As long as Texas keeps winning and he keeps throwing touchdowns, he has a great shot.

Ian Boyd – Of course. If he beats Michigan, Oklahoma, and Georgia as part of a 10-win or better Texas team and he performs in all of those games… it’ll be tough to beat him.

Paul Wadlington – Yeah sure why not.

Joe Cook – Yes but it’ll take a few more 300-yard games.

Charlie Williams – Yes.

Score prediction

Eric Nahlin – 52-3, Texas

Justin Wells – 55-6, Texas

Ian Boyd – 48-9, Texas

Paul Wadlington – 48-3, Texas

Joe Cook – 63-10, Texas

Charlie Williams – 65-3, Texas

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What game in the SEC or around the nation are you taking note of?

Eric Nahlin – The correct answer is Tennessee at Oklahoma but that’s on at the same time as Texas so it will only get 25 percent of my attention. I’m looking forward to watching both USC at Michigan and Utah at Oklahoma State in the 2:30 window.

Justin Wells – That Tennessee at Oklahoma game is super intriguing.

Ian Boyd – Obviously Tennessee at Oklahoma.

Paul Wadlington – Tennessee at Oklahoma! Can Oklahoma block anyone? To date, the Sooners’ OL play has been miserable. Can Brent Venables short circuit a young QB on the road? I’m also very curious to see how the OU cornerbacks hold up to isolation routes.

Joe Cook – Tennessee at Oklahoma followed by USC at Michigan

Charlie Williams – Illinois versus Nebraska and Tennessee versus Oklahoma.