Inside Texas Insider Q&A: Texas vs Texas A&M, huge offseason awaits

After Texas’ blowout victory over Arkansas, fans are taking even more interest in the upcoming game against Texas A&M. Despite the Horns’ 8-3 record, there’s still a chance to make the playoffs if Texas takes care of the undefeated and third-ranked Aggies while also receiving a little help.

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While we discuss the final regular season game, we also look ahead to potential roster changes, both from players and coaches, as well as projected team strengths and weaknesses for 2026.

If you like the sampling below, sign up and read the whole 8-page thread. That thread cane be found HERE.

What do you feel are the odds we beat Aggie? Fifty percent, less or more? For me right now I’m at about 50/50. – Santiam

I’m right around there, too. 

Thankfully it’s at home. I don’t think there’s a better QB in the country than Arch Manning right now. There’s consternation over the lack of run game but they’ve replaced that with the quick perimeter passing game to the degree there are big plays open down the field. A&M is susceptible here. There’s still talent on defense to make plays. 

I think it’s going to be a close one.

Paint us the best scenario for our secondary adjustments against A&M. Is there any hope that we can figure this out after multiple weeks of declining coordination and play?

Among the young guys, what does the film tell us about Phillips, Littleton, Filsaime, Jonah Williams, and Wardell Mack? (particularly Williams…)? Thanks for doing these and happy Thanksgiving! – jonestopten

I don’t personally have hope that the secondary will all of a sudden start playing more cohesively. I don’t know what the catalyst would be for that. They played more Cover 3 match rather than straight Cover 3. Not sure that helped all that much. Michael Taaffe alluded to it yesterday about knowing when Zone coverage turns to Man. Maybe another week will help them correct some stuff but we need to see it to believe it.

What needs to happen is the Texas secondary and overall defense, at minimum, will need to trade big plays. Reed will make mistakes but not like that Taylen Green WTF interception or Blake Shapen down the stretch at Mississippi State. Texas needs a massive day from Simmons and Burke. 

We just highlighted Kade Phillips’ improved physicality in our team intel and then he rewarded us with some strong tackles against Arkansas. He’s a truly complete prospect, just needs more experience to lead to consistency. Length, technique, twitch, intelligence, etc. Just needs reps to tie it all together. 

Littleton reminds me of Jahdae Barron. Not the biggest but pretty complete otherwise. Sees the game very well. Mental maturity through the roof. Speed, tough. 

I haven’t noticed a ton of Jonah W. He’s been pretty protected when they play him. That’s by design. They want him deep as the clean-up guy/post. I predicted he’d get on the field this year in dime, turns out it’s dollar (7 DB’s). This year is just to set the stage. There are no qualms about his talent. 

Filsaime has made too many mental mistakes. It’s a build-up year for him, too. Speed is there. Tackling hasn’t been great but he’s been playing through a very real nagging injury. 

Mack hasn’t played as much as I expected. I’ll have to seek out his snaps in the offseason. We know they like him and they feel he could be playing more, the issue is A) Littleton and B) playing matchups with bigger personnel packages. If I had to guess, I’d say he’ll be the starting Star next season. 

Happy Thanksgiving, Pilgrim.

And Happy Thanksgiving to you all.

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