No. 1 Texas heads into its only bye week after beating No. 14 Tennessee 20-17, with coach Steve Sarkisian saying the team needs to get healthy. The Longhorns next face eight games in eight weeks, starting with Oklahoma.
Several players have been unavailable: defensive lineman Justus Terry missed a third straight game with a toe injury, and tight end Nick Townsend was out with a knee injury. Offensive lineman Jordan Coleman joined the injury list this week; safety Xavier Filsaime has not played this season. Running back Hollywood Smothers did not play after an apparent setback in warmups. Sarkisian said he was not 100% and could have been used only in an emergency.
Without Smothers, Raleek Brown led Texas with 17 carries for 67 yards and two touchdowns. Derrek Cooper, playing a second straight game after an ankle injury, had seven carries for seven yards and took another knock. Wide receiver Cam Coleman went to the medical tent after a 30-yard catch, but Sarkisian did not address his injury. Colin Simmons was also not fully healthy and recorded five sacks while wearing a large brace on his left arm.
