Texas Longhorns Win a Thriller Against Vanderbilt

The nephew of Peyton and Eli Manning finally put together the kind of performance that had everyone penciling him in as a Heisman candidate before the season started. Manning and the Texas Longhorns carved up Vanderbilt’s defense like he was back in high school, completing 25 of 33 passes for 328 yards and three touchdowns without throwing a pick.

This wasn’t just good—it was the best we’ve seen from Manning all year. And honestly, it came at the perfect time for a Texas team that looked about as dead as last week’s Halloween candy.

The Longhorns jumped on Vandy early and often. Ryan Wingo took Manning’s first pass 75 yards to the house on a beautifully designed swing route that caught the Commodores’ blitz. Just like that, it was 7-0 before most fans had finished their first beer.

Texas Defense Steps Up When It Mattered

While Manning was finding his groove, the Texas defense was busy making Diego Pavia’s life miserable. The Commodores quarterback, who compared Texas to Louis Vuitton and Vanderbilt to a “yard sale” before the game, probably wished he could return this performance for store credit.

Colin Simmons set the tone early with a strip sack that had DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium rocking. The Longhorns recorded nine tackles for loss compared to Vanderbilt’s measly one. When you’re getting pushed around like that, it doesn’t matter if you’re shopping at Louis Vuitton or the dollar store.

The Classic Texas Heart Attack Finish

Of course, because this is Texas we’re talking about, they couldn’t just cruise to victory. What looked like a comfortable win turned into a nail-biter faster than you can say “playoff elimination.”

Pavia found his rhythm in the fourth quarter, throwing three touchdown passes against a prevent defense that was about as effective as a screen door on a submarine. With 33 seconds left, Vanderbilt pulled within three points at 34-31, and suddenly every Longhorn fan was reaching for their antacid. But sometimes you need a little luck, and Texas got it when the Commodores’ onside kick went out of bounds. Game over. Exhale, Austin.

What This Win Means For Texas’ Playoff Hopes

This victory keeps Texas breathing in the College Football Playoff race, but barely. At 7-2 overall and 4-1 in SEC play, the Longhorns still have work to do. And that work includes a murderer’s row of remaining games: a bye week, then Georgia, Arkansas, and Texas A&M to close out the regular season.

The Georgia game will tell us everything we need to know about this Texas team. Are they the preseason darlings who looked lost against Mississippi State and Kentucky? Or are they the squad that showed up Saturday night, with Manning looking comfortable and the defense flying around like their hair was on fire?

Manning’s Confidence Could Change Everything

Here’s the thing about quarterback play—confidence is contagious. When your quarterback believes he can make any throw, the receivers run their routes with more purpose, the running backs hit the gaps harder, and even the defense plays with more swagger.

For the first time all season, Manning looked like he belonged in the same conversation as his uncles. He was decisive, accurate, and most importantly, he didn’t force throws that weren’t there. That’s growth, folks.

The social media reaction said it all. After weeks of wondering if Manning was living up to the hype, Longhorn fans finally had something to celebrate. This performance won’t erase the struggles against Kentucky or the interception parade from earlier in the season, but it sure feels like a turning point.

Texas needed this game more than a fish needs water. They got it, Manning got his confidence back, and suddenly the College Football Playoff doesn’t seem like such a pipe dream. Now they just have to prove they can do it again when the lights are brightest and the stakes are highest.