Texas Dealt Double Injury Blow Right Before Ole Miss Showdown

Texas got off to a hot start this season, opening with four straight wins, including a 24-23 victory over then-No. 1 Ohio State followed by a 20-17 win at Tennessee two weeks later. But the Longhorns have fallen off since, with back-to-back 27-24 losses to Oklahoma and Florida.

Texas now sits 4-2 overall and 1-2 in SEC play heading into Saturday's showdown against No. 7 Ole Miss. A win at home would help the Longhorns regain momentum and improve their chances of making the College Football Playoff. Another loss, however, would leave them at 4-3 with a difficult stretch ahead, potentially putting an end to their playoff hopes.

Unfortunately, Texas may now have to hold off the Rebels without two of their best players. Running back Hollywood Smothers has been downgraded to doubtful while dealing with an upper-body injury, according to On3's Pete Nakos. Meanwhile, star edge rusher Colin Simmons has been ruled out after suffering a high ankle sprain in last week's loss to Florida.

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Smothers has been the Longhorns' best running back through the first half of the season, his first at Texas after transferring from NC State. He currently leads the team with 289 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns on 65 carries (4.4 yards per carry), along with 79 receiving yards and one receiving score in five games. If he can't play Saturday against Ole Miss, Raleek Brown would have to take on a larger role after rushing for 47 yards and a touchdown on just eight carries against Florida.

Simmons' absence is more damaging. The star defender already leads the country with 10.5 sacks and 16 tackles for loss through six games, including a 5.5-sack game against Tennessee. He also registered eight tackles, four tackles for loss, and one sack against Florida before leaving with the injury. Without him, Texas will need other pass rushers, like Lance Jackson and Zina Umeozulu, to generate pressure and help the defense get off the field.

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Texas still has a path to make the 12-team CFP, but it's become much more difficult. The wins over Ohio State and Tennessee remain valuable, but losing two straight games to SEC rivals is a bad look, and another loss could do them in completely.

After Ole Miss on Saturday, Texas will host Mississippi State before traveling to No. 22 Missouri and No. 18 LSU. They'll close out the regular season against Arkansas and on the road at Texas A&M. A 10-2 finish gives them a good chance of making the postseason, but 9-3 likely wouldn't be enough, making every game from here on out crucial.