Overview
- Texas confirmed Manning cleared concussion protocol and was removed from the SEC availability report, setting him to start at noon ET on ABC from DKR–Texas Memorial Stadium.
- Manning exited last week’s overtime win at Mississippi State with a concussion after delivering a career-best 346 yards with three passing touchdowns and a rushing score.
- Graduate transfer Matthew Caldwell remains the next man up after replacing Manning in Starkville and throwing the 10-yard overtime game-winner.
- Texas enters 6-2 (3-1 SEC) with conference title positioning at stake against a Vanderbilt team riding a surge behind dual-threat quarterback Diego Pavia.
- Analysts flag Texas’ protection issues and the Longhorns’ pass rush against Pavia’s mobility as key factors that could swing the outcome.