No. 7 Texas faces in-state foe UTEP at DKR Memorial Stadium on Saturday, which shall be a matchup of two former blue-chip quarterback recruits from the 2023 class. Texas quarterback Arch Manning, the previous No. 1 participant in his class by 247Sports, will sq. off towards UTEP signal-caller Malachi Nelson, the fifth-ranked quarterback from the identical recruiting cycle.
Whereas Manning is the one five-star that has stayed at his respective faculty among the many 5 such recruits from that class, Nelson has had fairly the journey. After committing to USC out of highschool and transferring to Boise State final 12 months, Nelson enrolled at UTEP and gained the beginning job.
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The Longhorns are coming off their first win — a 38-7 victory over San Jose State — after opening the season on the highway with a loss to defending nationwide champion Ohio State. UTEP additionally enters this recreation 1-1 after a loss to Utah State in its season-opener and a win over UT Martin final week.
Right here is all the pieces you want to know forward of Texas’ matchup with UTEP this weekend.
The place to observe Texas vs. UTEP reside
Date: Saturday, Sept. 13 | Time: 4:15 p.m. ET
Location: DKR Memorial Stadium — Austin, Texas
TV: SEC Community | Stream: Fubo (Attempt without spending a dime)
Texas vs. UTEP: Must know
Can Manning comply with up on his huge day? It is no secret that Manning struggled in Texas’ season-opener towards Ohio State, and the offense did not look any sharper throughout Texas’ first two drives towards San Jose State. However then, Manning linked with Parker Livingstone for an 83-yard landing, and it was all clean crusing from there. Manning completed the day 19 of 30 for 295 yards and 4 touchdowns towards the Spartans. The subsequent two weeks shall be essential for Manning’s total confidence as SEC play begins subsequent month with a highway matchup towards Florida.
One other former five-star QB is on the opposite aspect: The 2023 recruiting class is filled with gamers who’ve hit the switch portal a number of instances, however none extra famously than Nelson. Lincoln Riley recruited him to USC to be a possible successor to former Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams, however Nelson left after one season and ransferred to Boise State. He was considered as a pure match to be the beginning quarterback for a CFP contender, however as a substitute misplaced the job in fall camp to Maddux Madsen. Nelson is at his third faculty in three years however has appeared to have lastly discovered a house at UTEP with 5 landing passes in two video games.
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Livingstone is a participant to observe: Who could be Manning’s prime goal was a storyline coming into the season. It seems that query has been answered. Enter Livingston, Manning’s roommate, who has six catches for 175 yards and three touchdowns to this point this season. His breakout efficiency occurred final week, when he caught 4 passes for 128 yards and two touchdowns. That connection shall be relied on closely on Saturday and all through the rest of the season.
Texas vs. UTEP prediction, decide
In opposition to San Jose State, Texas began sluggish and did not cowl the unfold as a 36.5-point favourite. This week, the road is even bigger towards UTEP. Though I do not anticipate UTEP to come back into Austin and pull off an upset, I predict this recreation to be extra aggressive than the road signifies. Take UTEP with the factors. Decide: UTEP +41.5
