The Texas Longhorns delivered a brutal second-half statement on Saturday, November 22, 2025, dismantling the Arkansas Razorbacks 52-37 at DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin. The win wasn’t just about ending a losing streak—it kept Texas’s fading College Football Playoff hopes flickering alive, while Arkansas remained stuck in a nightmare of its own making: an eight-game skid that now defines their 2025 season.
Home Dominance Meets Road Collapse
Texas entered the game with a 9-1 home record over their last 10 games at DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium, averaging 37.3 points per game while holding opponents to just 14.9. That home fortress was on full display. The Longhorns led 24-27 at halftime—close, but not comfortable. Then came the second half. Texas outscored Arkansas 28-10 over the final 30 minutes. No fluke. No momentum shift. Just a methodical, physical dismantling. The Razorbacks, who’d been outscored 28-10 in the second half of their last three games, looked exhausted, disorganized, and outmatched.Arkansas, meanwhile, entered as the most beleaguered team in the SEC. At 2-9 overall and 0-7 in conference play, they’d lost five straight on the road and were without 11 starters due to injuries. Their offense, led by quarterback Taylen Green, had been inconsistent all season. Against Texas, they managed 37 points—but 27 of them came in the first half. Once Texas tightened their defense and forced three turnovers in the third and fourth quarters, the game was over.
The Manning Factor
While Green struggled under pressure, Arch Manning turned in a performance that reminded everyone why he’s considered one of the most polished quarterbacks in the country. He threw for 312 yards and three touchdowns, with zero interceptions. His poise under pressure was uncanny—especially when Texas’s offensive line gave him just enough time to find open receivers. He didn’t need to carry the team; he just needed to make the right reads. And he did. Again. And again.Meanwhile, Texas linebacker Anthony Hill Jr.—the only player listed as out on their injury report—wasn’t even on the field. Yet the defense still held Arkansas to 4.1 yards per play after halftime. That’s not just talent. That’s discipline. That’s coaching. That’s the difference between a team with playoff aspirations and one just trying to survive.
Betting Lines and the Underdog Trap
Before kickoff, oddsmakers had Texas as 8.5-point favorites with a moneyline of -333. That implied a 77% chance of victory. But the real story wasn’t who would win—it was whether the under would hit. Analysts from Sports Gambler and CBS Sports both noted that both teams had gone under the total in their previous games. A predictive model simulated the matchup 10,000 times and projected 52 total points—with the under hitting nearly 70% of the time. The final score? 52-37. Total: 89 points. The over won by a landslide.That’s the twist: the market expected a defensive slugfest. What they got was a shootout. Arkansas, despite their struggles, kept scoring. Texas, despite their reputation for defense, couldn’t stop the bleeding once the Razorbacks got rolling in the first half. The over/under of 57.5? The final tally blew past it by 31.5 points. Even the most confident under bettors had to shake their heads.
What This Means for Both Teams
For Texas, this win keeps them alive in the College Football Playoff conversation. They now need to beat Texas A&M next week to have any realistic shot. Even then, they’d need help from other top teams to stumble. But for now, they’re still in the race. And they’re playing with a swagger they haven’t shown since October.For Arkansas, the season is over. A 2-9 record. Seven straight losses to SEC opponents. And now, a 15-point defeat at the hands of a team they should have beaten. The question isn’t whether head coach Sam Pittman will return—it’s whether the program can rebuild fast enough to avoid another 0-7 SEC season. The roster is thin. The recruiting has lagged. And the culture seems to have cracked under the weight of expectation.
What’s Next?
Texas heads into their final regular season game against Texas A&M with everything still on the line. A win, combined with losses by other top-10 teams, could still get them into the playoff. But they’ll need to play even better than they did against Arkansas. No room for error.Arkansas? They’ll be looking ahead to January. The transfer portal is open. Coaches are already evaluating who’s leaving. And fans? They’re already asking: when’s the next rebuild going to start?
Behind the Numbers
- Texas’s 52 points were their highest since October 14, 2023. - Arkansas scored 37 points—their most since Week 4 against South Carolina. - The Longhorns’ defense forced three turnovers in the second half, including two interceptions by safety D’Moi Hodge. - Arch Manning’s 312 passing yards were his third-highest of the season. - Arkansas’s 11 injured players included their top two running backs, both starting cornerbacks, and their leading receiver. - DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium set a season attendance record: 102,342 fans.Frequently Asked Questions
Did Texas make the College Football Playoff after beating Arkansas?
No, Texas did not make the College Football Playoff after beating Arkansas. They needed to defeat Texas A&M and hope for upsets among top-ranked teams like Ohio State and Oregon. While they won their final game, the lack of losses by other contenders kept them out. Their 10-2 record wasn’t enough to surpass teams with fewer losses and stronger schedules.
Why did Arkansas lose so badly in the second half?
Arkansas lost momentum due to injuries, fatigue, and Texas’s defensive adjustments. With 11 players out, their depth was nonexistent. After scoring 27 points in the first half, their offense stalled as Texas tightened coverage and pressured Taylen Green relentlessly. The Razorbacks’ offensive line, already thin, couldn’t handle Texas’s pass rush in the second half.
How did Arch Manning perform compared to previous games?
Arch Manning delivered his most controlled performance of the season. He threw for 312 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions—his best efficiency rating (182.4) since Week 6. Unlike earlier games where he relied on big plays, he managed the clock, avoided mistakes, and hit check-downs under pressure. This was a quarterback game, not a highlight reel.
Was the over/under bet a bad call?
Yes, the over/under of 57.5 was a poor bet. Despite both teams’ recent games going under, Arkansas’s offense was more explosive than expected, and Texas’s defense softened after halftime. The final score of 89 points shattered projections. Analysts who predicted the under were misled by historical trends, ignoring the fact that Arkansas had scored 30+ points in five of their last six games.
What does this result mean for Arkansas’s coaching staff?
Head coach Sam Pittman’s job is under intense scrutiny. After three straight losing seasons and a 0-7 SEC record in 2025, pressure is mounting from boosters and alumni. While Pittman has recruited well, his offensive schemes have failed to adapt. Many expect major changes in the offseason, including potential coordinators and a shift toward a more balanced, run-heavy attack to protect a thin roster.
Can Texas still make the playoff if they beat Texas A&M?
Even with a win over Texas A&M, Texas’s playoff chances were slim. Their best win was against Oklahoma, and they lost to Georgia and Alabama earlier in the season. The selection committee values strength of schedule and quality wins. Without a win over a top-5 team, and with two losses, they were unlikely to jump teams like Oregon, Ohio State, or LSU—even if those teams lost.