Texas survives a messy night in Baton Rouge to keep its playoff hopes alive. The Longhorns beat No. 21 LSU 22-21 on a last-second touchdown pass from Arch Manning. This win eliminates the four-loss Tigers from the College Football Playoff conversation while keeping the 8-2 Longhorns in the mix. The victory came despite a poor performance by the quarterback, who threw three interceptions. The committee will look at the final result rather than the ugly process.
Manning finished with just 174 passing yards and three interceptions in a game that felt like a loss for most of the night. He only completed 19 of his 35 attempts. The turning point arrived with 2:19 left on the clock when Texas trailed by five points. Manning converted three third downs to set up the winning score. He found Raleek Brown for a four-yard touchdown pass with three seconds remaining. The play secured a win in a stadium where Manning grew up watching games as a child.
The Manning Legacy In Death Valley
This comeback adds another chapter to a family history of late wins at Tiger Stadium. Manning’s grandfather Archie led Mississippi to a similar victory in 1968. His uncle Eli did the same for Ole Miss in 2001. Arch now joins that list after leading his team back from a 21-16 deficit. The emotional weight of the moment was clear after the final whistle. Manning told reporters, according to ESPN, “That’s what it’s all about: Death Valley at night, two-minute drive, let’s go.”
He also reflected on the personal significance of scoring in his hometown. The win keeps Texas firmly in contention for a spot in the playoff field.
Flaws That The Committee Will See
The Longhorns are not a perfect team and they look like one. The defense allowed LSU running back Dilin Jones to break a 44-yard scoring run that gave the Tigers a 21-10 lead. The offense struggled to move the ball until the final drive. Despite these issues, the team found a way to win against a ranked opponent. This ability to close out games matters more than the box score.
LSU quarterback Sam Leavitt also threw three interceptions while passing for 244 yards and two touchdowns. A potential momentum shift was missed by the Tigers when they failed to convert a 38-yard field goal as the first half concluded. Texas kicker Gianni Spetic made field goals of 41 and 50 yards to cut the deficit before the final drive. The SEC still has a strong case for multiple bids even with LSU out of the picture. The committee chair Hunter Yurachek noted that Georgia is very high on their list, but Texas has now forced its way into the debate.
A Playoff Field Full Of Variations
The College Football Playoff field could be one of the most varied in history. The SEC could end up with four teams in the top 12. The Big Ten has only two teams left in the conversation. This creates openings for other conferences to make a move. Wake Forest and Iowa are now in the mix along with Oregon. The Longhorns need to win their next two games to avoid a catastrophic upset that would knock them out.
The final standings depend on how the committee weighs these close wins against stronger records. Texas has proven it can win when it matters most. The team will face a tough schedule ahead to secure a spot in the top 12. The committee will release its next ranking on Tuesday night. Texas enters that week with a record of 8-2 and a 5-2 mark in the SEC.
