Staff Roundtable: First SEC Conference Game, Arch Manning and Biggest Surprise of 2024

The Texas Longhorns have survived non-conference play and now enter the SEC's first slate undefeated. Describe the team's performance in the first four games one Word.

Daniel Seahorn (@DanielSeahorn) – Dominant.

Gerald Goodridge (@ghgoodridge) – Confident.

Cameron Parker (@camerondparker) – Concentrated.

Jacob Neidig (@jneidig_2) – Hungry.

Which player was the biggest surprise for you?

Daniel Seahorn – Liona Lefau would be my choice. I was confident in him as a recruit, but he's already looking like a certified stud and is staking his claim for more snaps.

Gerald Goodridge -Colin Simmons. We all knew he would be an incredible athlete, but I went into the season thinking he would utilize it the same way Anthony Hill did last year, with specific packages and looks that allow for a longer development curve. Instead, he looks more like a veteran edge player than a 19-year-old, nipping at the heels of Lefau and Hill and leading the team in sacks and tackles for loss.

Cameron Parker – Gunnar Helmet. The fourth-year TE has made a huge jump this season in both blocking and pass catching. He has become a legitimate offensive threat at a position that some thought would be a weakness following the departure of Ja'Tavion Sanders. Helm has put himself in the conversation for the best TE in the country and his NFL Draft stock is rising.

Jacob Neidig – Juan Davis. It was so much fun watching him act as a two-man wrecking team alongside Helm while Sark dials up the two TE packages, something he does regularly. I was impressed by Davis' ability to consistently play his role successfully, even when it isn't glamorous. Honestly, I didn't expect to see Davis on the field so much this year. With Helm serving as the H-back last year and Texas securing the No. 1 TE in the transfer portal in Amari Niblack, I didn't see a path to the pitch for Davis. Yet here we are and here I am, happily eating my words. Consider me a big fan of 81.

It's time for our obligatory Arch Manning question! Assume Quinn Ewers is inactive and Manning starts. Then what would you like to see the freshman quarterback accomplish against Mississippi State?

Daniel Seahorn – Better decision making with football and pocket awareness. I would also like him to be more careful when taking hits.

Gerald Goodridge – Sark mentioned it during his press conference on Monday, but take control. In his two interceptions against ULM, he had options underneath. You will never go broke and make a profit, so take your time and keep going.

Cameron Parker – I would like Arch to take ownership of the game. I'm sure the adrenaline and nerves were in full swing against ULM and we saw that with some missed throws and forced throws. Trust your arm, trust your plan, trust your progress and go out and have fun.

Jacob Neidig – Come to his secondary progression. Manning seemed to focus on targets a few times instead of moving on to the next read. I want him to be mentally able to jump to the next reading regularly and for his feet, hips and shoulders to follow quickly.

What is your points prediction for Saturday? Texas -38 or Mississippi State -38?

Daniel (4-0/3-1 ATS) – Texas 52, Texas 13. State gave up 40 points to a Florida team that isn't good at all. Unless Texas plays with their food, I think they will bounce back and win hands down.

Gerald (4-0/3-1 ATS) – Texas 49, Mississippi State 10. I think State was an average team and then their best quarterback got injured.

Cameron (4-0/2-2 ATS) – Texas 59, Mississippi State 13. The Bulldogs' defense isn't very good. However, I think this will be the best offense Texas has had all season, even with Michael Van Buren at QB. Other than that, Arch Manning is playing his best game of the season.

Jacob (4-0/3-1 ATS) – Texas 63, Mississippi State 7. If Texas doesn't hang with 60+ against the Bulldogs, it's because Sark didn't want to, not because Texas couldn't. I happen to think he wants to send a message for the first SEC matchup in Texas.