IT Roundtable: Texas vs. Kentucky predictions, keys to the game, midseason MVPs

The Inside Texas staff looks at what the No. 21 Texas Longhorns need to do versus the Kentucky Wildcats to leave Lexington, Ky. with a win on Saturday night.

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Plus, score predictions, midseason MVPs, Heisman picks, and more in the IT Roundtable.

After showing great progress last week, what will be a sign of continued growth from the Texas offense?

Eric Nahlin – Focus, intensity, physicality, and discipline. I’d like to see a clean pocket for Arch Manning after the last two weeks.

Justin Wells – Continued strong play along the offensive line and running backs reaching the second level.

Ian Boyd – Dropping 30+ on the road and easily covering the 12.5-point spread would be a good sign. Another would be being able to run the ball effectively.

Joe Cook – More plays ahead of the chains. Oklahoma was able to force a few third-and-medium to third-and-long situations that Texas was surprisingly successful in converting. When Texas got in third-and-short, the Horns thrived. Keep the offense steady and that should be enough for a win. Anything more than that makes this easy.

Charlie Williams – Continuing to convert third downs, show the same fight and effort up front. Even when you’re wrong, go 100 mph

RT Young – Scoring in the first half, maybe even the first drive, sounds disruptive.

Evan Vieth – Extending another solid run performance into an explosive play action game.

NashTalksTexas – Limiting offensive penalties that are drive killers.

Paul Wadlington – Continue to evolve protection schemes beyond default slide or pull pro, narrow the run menu to In-N-Out instead of Cheesecake Factory, Manning continuing to show error free, terrific poise. Can we sprinkle some big play potential in to some new found floor?

Texas hits the road for two more weeks before coming home in November. Key for the Texas defense starting in Lexington?

Eric Nahlin – Bottle up the run. Due to the inefficient Kentucky passing game they can cheat numbers to the run if need be. Stop the run and that offense will stall.

Justin Wells – Playing sound football. Hold down Seth McGowan and Kendrick Law, and keep everyone else in front of you. Keep unleashing the freshmen defensive studs too.

Ian Boyd – This is a good week for Texas to show its run defense travels better than it did against Florida. That said, it’s hard to imagine the Wildcats doing too much on offense, even if the Cats can run some and sit on possession.

Joe Cook – No big play busts. There were some opportunities missed by John Mateer in the Cotton Bowl. It’s not like Cutter Boley is going to be more adept at taking advantage of them, but I’d rather he not have any opportunities to do so.

Charlie Williams – No penalties, do your job, get takeaways, and don’t give up explosive plays

RT Young – I want to see another cohesive game plan, continue to smolder the run and create some short fields for the offense. I also want more Ty’Anthony Smith.

Evan Vieth – Staying healthy is a big thing. Obviously against Kentucky it will be about stopping the run, but I also want that pass rush to remain fierce. That’s a great blueprint for controlling the Mississippi State and Vanderbilt games, as well.

NashTalksTexas – No missed tackles. Missing tackles allowed Jadan Baugh to escape multiple TFLs in the first drive for Florida. Texas needs to impose its will from snap one.

Paul Wadlington – Be physical setting the edge, continue to eschew just stand there containment, and tackle the screen game on the perimeter. The rest will follow.

Midseason Offensive MVP for Texas

Eric Nahlin – Arch Manning, purely on the strength of having 17 total TDs.

Justin Wells – We’ve got co-offensive MVPs with Trevor Goosby and Arch Manning. Goosby has been really solid in protecting Manning’s backside, while Arch is among the CFB leaders in total touchdowns.

Ian Boyd – Arch Manning, easily. He has most of the team’s touchdowns.

Joe Cook – Arch Manning with Tre Wisner second.

Charlie Williams – Arch Manning.

RT Young – Arch–Trevion Wisner?

Evan Vieth – Arch Manning.

NashTalksTexas – Arch Manning.

Paul Wadlington – Arch Manning.

Midseason Defensive MVP for Texas

Eric Nahlin – Michael Taaffe. It’s either him or Jelani McDonald. I went with Taaffe because he seems to set the tone in every game.

Justin Wells – Jelani McDonald. There are a handful of guys you could name here, but McDonald’s draft stock has soared in 2025.

Ian Boyd – That’s tough. I’ll go Hero Kanu who’s been the most impactful defensive tackle.

Joe Cook – Michael Taaffe. He’ll be a first-team All-American this year.

Charlie Williams – The entire defense! I can’t pick just one.

RT Young – Malik Muhammad.

Evan Vieth – Jelani McDonald.

NashTalksTexas – Michael Taaffe

Paul Wadlington – Michael Taaffe, Hero Kanu, Colin Simmons.

Midseason Heisman

Eric Nahlin – For midseason, give me Fernando Mendoza. To win it, give me Ty Simpson.

Justin Wells – Paul Wadlington.

Ian Boyd – I guess right now it would be Ty Simpson for all the big game showings he’s had for Alabama.

Joe Cook – Ty Simpson.

Charlie Williams – Fernando Mendoza.

RT Young – There was something in the air that night…the stars were bright, Fernando (Mendoza)

Evan Vieth – Fernando Mendoza.

NashTalksTexas – Ty Simpson.

Paul Wadlington – You’re the worst.

Score prediction

Eric Nahlin – 24-13, Texas

Justin Wells – 27-13, Texas

Ian Boyd – 27-9, Texas

Joe Cook – 21-7, Texas

Charlie Williams – 27-6, Texas

RT Young – 24-9, Texas

Evan Vieth – 20-10, Texas

NashTalksTexas – 31-9, Texas

Paul Wadlington – 31-14, Texas