Longhorns Stock Report: Winners and Losers After a 34‑20 Statement Win Over Missouri

When the Longhorns stepped onto Faurot Field on Saturday afternoon, no one expected a flawless performance. Still, the 34‑20 triumph over Missouri gave Texas enough ammo to keep the CFP conversation alive, even if a few gears squeaked a little.

First, let’s talk about the quarterback who made the whole thing possible – Arch Manning. The kid threw for 297 yards, hit three touchdowns, and, most importantly, didn’t try to force anything. He was calm, collected and let his receivers do the work. That kind of poise is exactly what you want when you line up against a stout LSU defense next week.

Speaking of receivers, freshman Jermaine Bishop Jr. finally got a taste of the spotlight. Four catches for 60 yards, including a 25‑yard score, showed that he can be a reliable slot option once the starting wideouts are back from injury. If the trend continues, he could end up as one of Manning’s favorite safety‑valve targets.

On the ground, Raleek Brown turned the day into a personal highlight reel. He rushed for a touchdown, tossed a pass for another score and racked up 133 all‑purpose yards. With Hollywood Smothers sidelined for the season, Brown’s emergence is a welcome development for a backfield that was suddenly a bit thin.

Now, not everyone walked away with a boost. Andre Cojoe, thrust into the starting left‑tackle role after Trevor Goosby’s season‑ending knee, struggled against Missouri’s edge rusher Dayton Hopkins. The pressure showed up on Manning’s blind side, reminding fans that the offensive line still has some growing pains.

Special teams also handed Texas a minor stumble. Ryan Niblett fumbled a punt deep in his own territory, gifting the Tigers prime field position. It didn’t change the outcome, but those sloppy moments can’t become a habit if Texas hopes to run deep into the playoff picture.

Overall, the win was a mixed bag – high‑octane performances from Manning, Brown and Bishop, and a few glaring holes that need patching. The Longhorns leave Columbia a little higher in the rankings, but the road to the CFP is still paved with work to be done.