Ole Miss will have its starting center Brycen Sanders available for Saturday’s road game against Texas, according to reporting from On3’s Pete Nakos. Sanders, listed as questionable on the SEC injury report, exited last week’s 31-3 win over Missouri but is expected to return for the top-10 Rebels (5-1, 3-1 SEC).
The game carries outsized importance for both teams. Ole Miss, ranked No. 7 in the latest AP Top 25, needs a victory to bolster its College Football Playoff resume amid a challenging remaining schedule. Texas, meanwhile, enters the matchup at 0-2 in league play after consecutive losses and faces elimination from playoff contention with a defeat. The Longhorns rank No. 41 nationally in scoring offense (30.2 PPG) and have struggled defensively, allowing 53.5 points per game in their two losses.
Rebels’ Offensive Line Stability
Sanders, a 6-foot-5, 315-pound senior, has started all 15 games for Ole Miss this season and 15 games in 2025, when he helped the Rebels set school records for total points and yards. His return would restore continuity to an offensive line that shifted right guard Patrick Kutas to center during Sanders’ brief exit against Missouri. Quarterback Trinidad Chambliss, who has rushed for a touchdown in five of Ole Miss’s six games and thrown for at least two touchdowns in five contests, benefits from the stability up front. The Rebels rank No. 9 nationally in scoring (37.5 PPG) and No. 21 in total yards (444.5 YPG).
Texas’ Playoff Hopes on the Line
Texas, which began the season with high expectations, has underperformed with back-to-back losses. The Longhorns’ offense ranks No. 80 in total yards (361.3 YPG), including No. 86 in rushing (135.0 YPG). A loss to Ole Miss would likely drop Texas out of the rankings entirely, marking the second straight disappointing season under current leadership. The game is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET at DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium and will air on FOX.
Betting Implications
Sportsbooks have installed Ole Miss as a 3.5-point favorite, with the over/under set at 53.5 points. The moneyline favors Ole Miss at +136, while Texas is at -158 to cover the spread. Promotional offers from sportsbooks, including Underdog and Fanatics, are incentivizing wagers on the matchup with bonus credits for new users.
Schedule Context for Ole Miss
Ole Miss’s remaining slate includes road games against Georgia (Nov. 1) and Arkansas (Nov. 15), followed by a home date with LSU (Nov. 29). A win over Texas would provide a critical buffer in the SEC West standings, where the Rebels currently trail Alabama and Texas A&M. Their lone loss this season came at Florida (52-17), a performance they rebounded from with consecutive wins over Vanderbilt and Missouri.
Texas’ Defensive Struggles
The Longhorns’ defense, which ranked No. 53 nationally in total yards allowed (342.0 YPG) last season, has regressed in 2026. They allowed 53 points to Oklahoma State in a Week 6 loss and 49 points to Kansas State in Week 5. Defensive coordinator Jeff Choate has faced scrutiny for the unit’s inability to generate turnovers, with Texas ranking No. 102 nationally in takeaways (0.8 per game).
Key Matchups to Watch
- Ole Miss Passing Game vs. Texas Secondary: Chambliss has thrown for 290.7 yards per game (No. 13 nationally), while Texas’s secondary ranks No. 78 in pass defense (245.3 YPG allowed).
- Texas Rushing Attack: The Longhorns’ ground game, led by Jonathon Brooks, averages 135.0 yards per game (No. 86 nationally), but faces a Ole Miss defense that ranks No. 28 in rushing yards allowed (121.2 YPG).
- Turnover Margin: Ole Miss has forced 12 turnovers this season, while Texas has just 4 takeaways and 10 giveaways.
Injury Updates and Depth Chart Notes
Beyond Sanders, Ole Miss has no major injury concerns listed on the SEC’s weekly report. Texas, however, is without starting linebacker Jett Bush, who suffered a season-ending injury in Week 6. Backup running back Cedric Baxter Jr. is also questionable after a midweek practice injury, though the Longhorns have not disclosed the severity of the ailment.