Leading rusher Hollywood Smothers returns just in time for the Longhorns’ physical SEC debut, providing the vital ground attack needed to survive a high-stakes clash at Neyland Stadium.
If Texas leaves Neyland Stadium unbeaten, there is a good chance Hollywood Smothers has something to do with it.
This does not feel like a game the Longhorns are going to win by asking Arch Manning to throw it 40 times. Tennessee should force Texas into a more physical, possession-by-possession fight — exactly the kind of game where Smothers has already shown his value.
And he will be available for it.
Smothers was removed from Texas’ final availability report Saturday morning, making the Longhorns’ leading rusher available against No. 14 Tennessee for their first road game and SEC opener of the season.
Smothers was listed as questionable Wednesday and Thursday with a lower-body injury before being upgraded to probable Friday night.
He did not practice Wednesday or Thursday, leaving his status unresolved deep into the week.
Now, Texas has its RB1.
Smothers leads the Longhorns with 198 rushing yards on 41 carries through three games, averaging 4.8 yards per attempt with two touchdowns. He has also caught seven passes for 54 yards and another score.
And when Texas needed him most, the workload followed.
Smothers carried 21 times for 74 yards and two touchdowns in the Longhorns’ 24-23 comeback win over Ohio State, scoring twice in the fourth quarter as Texas erased a 23-3 deficit.
That was the clearest look yet at how Steve Sarkisian views him when the margin gets thin.
Saturday could demand more of the same.
Texas rushed for 228 yards in last week’s 30-6 win over UTSA, though the offense still went through stretches where drives stalled before reaching the end zone. The Longhorns now leave Austin for the first time this season … headed into Neyland Stadium, against an unbeaten Tennessee team, with SEC play beginning.
Smothers will be part of it.
Texas will still be without defensive lineman Justus Terry, defensive back Xavier Filsaime, offensive lineman Jordan Coleman and tight end Nick Townsend, who all remain out on the final availability report. Edge rusher Colin Simmons is also available after being removed from the report earlier in the week.
Kickoff between No. 1 Texas and No. 14 Tennessee is set for 11 a.m. CT on ABC.
Texas may not need its prettiest offense Saturday. It may need the one that can survive.
Smothers gives Sarkisian a better chance to build exactly that.
