There may be no more intriguing game in college football this weekend than Vanderbilt-Texas. With a win, the Commodores would be 8-1, needing only to beat Auburn and Kentucky in Nashville to seemingly clinch a College Football Playoff berth. Meanwhile, the Longhorns would improve to 7-2 with a victory, thrusting themselves right back in the thick of the CFP hunt.
There are many variables at play for this one, perhaps none bigger than Arch Manning’s health after absorbing a concussion against Mississippi State last week. On The Triple Option podcast, Mark Ingram picked Texas to beat Vanderbilt if the Longhorns’ starting quarterback is on the field.
“Last year, [Vanderbilt] had Texas in Nashville. Lost 27-24. But listen, it’s a new year. It’s a new season. They’ve beat LSU. They beat Missouri,” Ingram said. “This offense… it’s very irritable… hard to defend… but the difference to me, in this game, is the Texas defense… Vandy lost on the road to [Alabama]. I think they’re going to lose on the road to Texas if Arch is healthy.”
Ingram said he’d “lay the points” for the Longhorns, who are currently 2.5-point favorites, as well.
This is just the third road game of the season for the Commodores. Clark Lea‘s team beat South Carolina 31-7 at night in Week 3, but lost 30-14 at Alabama in Week 6. That game was more competitive than the score indicates, but defeating teams as talented as the Crimson Tide on the road is difficult. Texas didn’t live up to its billing early in the year, but its roster is just as loaded. Vanderbilt will have to avoid turnovers and stay true to its game plan to win. Kickoff for Saturday’s matchup is 12 p.m. ET on ABC. Click here to stream with Sling TV (plans starting at $4.99).
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