Texas Longhorns Look to Overcome Red Zone Struggles in College Football Playoff
The Texas Longhorns are gearing up for their second-ever College Football Playoff appearance, but they’ll have to overcome a crucial weakness to make a deep run. Despite outgaining their opponents by significant margins, the Longhorns have struggled to finish drives in the red zone, a concern that ESPN analyst Desmond Howard highlighted during a recent episode of “College GameDay.”
Howard pointed to the Longhorns’ heartbreaking 22-19 overtime loss to Georgia in the SEC Championship Game, where starting quarterback Quinn Ewers and the offense failed to capitalize on scoring opportunities. “Texas moved the ball up and down the field against the Bulldogs,” Howard noted. “They got in the red zone, and they had dropped passes, missed assignments, or penalties.”
To address this weakness, Howard expects the Longhorns to utilize backup quarterback Arch Manning in the red zone. Manning, a five-star recruit and the No. 1 overall prospect in the class of 2023, has shown promise in limited action this season. In 2024, Manning has thrown for 969 yards, nine touchdowns, and two interceptions, while also rushing for 100 yards and four touchdowns.
“Arch Manning is a guy they can use in the red zone,” Howard explained. “He’s a change-of-pace quarterback who can bring a different dynamic to the offense.” With Manning’s ability to make plays with his legs and arm, the Longhorns may be able to finally overcome their red zone struggles.
The Longhorns’ matchup against No. 12 Clemson in the College Football Playoff presents an opportunity for Manning to make an impact. Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian, known for his brilliant play-calling, may look to incorporate Manning into the game plan to catch the Tigers off guard.
As the Longhorns prepare for their playoff showdown, they’ll need to find a way to overcome their red zone woes. With Arch Manning waiting in the wings, Texas may have the solution they need to make a deep run in the College Football Playoff.
