Roundtable: Concerns linger with Texas offense heading into UTEP

The Texas Longhorns outlasted San Jose State for their first win of 2025 - but it was sloppy and underwhelming at times. Do you feel better, the same, or worse about the Horns following their 38-7 win?

Gerald Goodridge (@ghgoodridge) - Probably the same. The offense showed some signs of life in the contest, which is honestly more than we can say about the majority of the Ohio State game. I think I still have questions at corner and wide receiver, but that was the same a week ago, too.

Cameron Parker (@camerondparker) - I felt worse during the game, but that has improved to somewhere between slightly worse and the same. Sark said it during his Monday press conference, but this team is going to have growing pains. I admit that I got caught guzzling the burnt orange Kool-Aid with the preseason No. 1 ranking and Archmania. In reality, the offensive line is replacing four starters, the wideout and tight end room is replacing their top three performers, and there’s a new quarterback under center. It doesn’t excuse the inconsistency, but it does explain it. It’s going to take time for the offense to get humming, and fortunately for Arch and Sark, Texas has two more cupcake games before conference play begins.

Jacob Neidig (@jneidig_2) - Worse. The lack of sustained drives against an overmatched defense is worrisome. Between the penalties, miscues, and errant throws, I left DKR feeling very underwhelmed by the offense.

Quentin Bell (@uncleqbell) - The same, the SJSU game was expected, and if anything less my perspective would have changed on the 2025 season.

Wescott Eberts (@SBN_Wescott) – Overall, I think I feel slightly worse. I feel better about Arch Manning correcting some of his mechanical breakdowns, and I was extremely impressed after getting a more extended look at Parker Livingstone. The reason I feel slightly worse is because of the excessive number of penalties and the poor offensive line play against a group they should have more success against.

Whose slow start to the season is the most concerning? Ryan Wingo or Colin Simmons?

Gerald - Wingo probably. I think Colin Simmons’s problem is easy to diagnose: the dude is trying too hard. I don’t know what is up with Wingo right now, and even when he does look good, he and Arch are on different wavelengths. Texas has more proven options at edge, even if there’s a dropoff from Simmons, but I don’t really know who else can step up at receiver at this point.

Cameron - Wingo. He’s now the focal point of opposing secondaries, and it’s with only 6 receptions for 65 yards in two games. You can tell Wingo and Arch Manning are lacking chemistry, largely due to Wingo recovering from LASIK eye surgery during the spring. Hopefully, that chemistry will develop as the season goes on. The good news is that the arrival of Parker Livingstone will force defenses to put more emphasis on defending him, which in turn should open the door for Wingo. He’s too talented not to turn it around.

Jacob - I’d start by saying that I don’t think either start has reached a level warranting worry. Both are superstars and will figure it out. Between the two, Simmons’ lack of production and penalties takes the cake for me. His solution is easier, but the problem is solely on him. I think Wingo’s slow start can somewhat be tied to Arch’s performance.

Quentin - I’m gonna lean towards Wingo even though Arch has barely hit half of his completions. Wingo has to take advantage of every look he gets, especially if the play is designed for you in a one-on-one setup.

Wescott - Wingo. Simmons is too good to struggle for the entire season, so my worry is with Wingo and his hands and route-running ability. His technique on his dropped pass on Saturday really let him down, and I just don’t see him sell routes the way that refined wide receivers do. I’m still reserving judgment in both of those areas, but my concerns are mounting.

The most important thing for Steve Sarkisian and Texas to accomplish in the next two games is…..?

Gerald - Figure out how to get Arch into rhythm. Whether that involves giving him more opportunities to run the ball or putting Wingo and Moore in a position to catch the ball short and in space, Sark needs to know how to get the engine started for Arch. We’ve seen that once it’s started, it’s elite, but what does it take to get him going?

Cameron - Incrementally get better offensively. You’re not going to fix all the issues in two games, BUT you can and should get better. Limit the offensive penalties, get the running game going, and get the wideouts not named Parker Livingstone and Jack Endries in a rhythm with Arch.

Jacob - Clean up the penalties. He’s not on the field committing the fouls, obviously, but he needs to push this team past the boneheaded mistakes that have characterized the first two games. Texas can’t achieve its long-term goals while giving up free first downs and killing drives. Sark needs to put together a clean performance.

Quentin - Sark needs to keep defensive pressure by generating more turnovers with sacks, tackles for losses, hurry-ups, and/or interceptions to either put the offense in the best position possible to convert on offense, and possibly score on defense. Also, Sark needs to hone in his play calling against UTEP HC Scotty Walden, whose grit and ability to counter might surprise the Longhorns.

Wescott - Secure a higher level of execution from Texas – avoiding penalties, playing more clean along the offensive line, getting Wingo and Simmons playing better, developing quality depth, and helping Manning get back to playing with confidence and ripping the football like he did last year.

Will Texas cover for the first time this season? Texas (-41.5 at FanDuel) or UTEP?

Gerald (1-1/0-2 ATS) - I think Texas opened at 38 points, and the line kept climbing, which tells me that the sharps think that Texas has a big advantage here. If the players don’t come out pissed off and ready to prove a point, I don’t know what will. Texas 49, UTEP 7

Cameron (1-1/0-2 ATS) - Texas 41, UTEP 7

Jacob (1-1/0-2 ATS) - Despite two new coordinators, a brand new QB, and losing the top two tacklers, I think this UTEP team has a lot of talent in key areas. I don’t expect this game to be competitive, but I think the Miners find a way to cover. Texas 48, UTEP 10.

Quentin (1-1/1-1 ATS) - This should mirror week 2 with major improvements. I’d like to see more discipline, ideally with no penalties, but more turnovers defensively with more offensive cohesion between the QB and WR’s, but UTEP could cover. Texas 44, UTEP 10.

Wescott (1-1/0-2 ATS) - I think Texas continues to struggle to cover the spread because UTEP’s defensive line causes enough havoc to keep the Longhorns’ offense from running away with this gam,e and Walden’s offense gets just enough traction behind Malachi Nelson. Add in the likelihood of penalties and red-zone issues impacting the game for the Longhorns, and I think the outcome feels a little bit disappointing once again. Texas 41, UTEP 10.

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