​BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA – NOVEMBER 14: Quarterback Arch Manning #16 of the Texas Longhorns looks on before the game between Louisiana State Tigers and Texas Longhorns at Tiger Stadium on November 14, 2026 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Aric Becker/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images) | ISI Photos via Getty Images Nothing about this weekend was ever going to be easy — going into Death Valley and attempting to beat the supremely talented No. 21 LSU Tigers at night in the sixth conference game in six weeks for the No. 6 Texas Longhorns, who have already secured wins against four other ranked opponents.But Friday’s shocking FAA ground stop threw everything into chaos. Just as the Longhorns were set to depart Austin, the order forced Steve Sarkisian’s team to deplane and return to campus for a meal, walk-though, and meetings before the plane was finally able to depart seven hours late. By the time Texas got to its team hotel in Baton Rouge, it was past midnight.Now it’s up to a team that Sarkisian lauded for its undeniable toughness last week to turn that inconvenience into a historical footnote instead of an excuse.Able to keep their Saturday schedule, the Horns expect to perform well at Tiger Stadium, according to ESPN’s Holly Rowe.Here’s an inside look to the struggled Texas had to deal with to get to Baton Rouge with the FAA ground stop pic.twitter.com/bUgIMeKlF1— Nash (@NashTalksTexas) November 14, 2026With a win, Texas has a 95-percent chance to return to the College Football Playoff. With a loss? Down to 60 percent. Those are the stakes on Saturday.Pregame player availability reportNinety minutes before kickoff, fifth-year offensive lineman Cole Hutson and fifth-year defensive tackle Hero Kanu were both removed from the SEC-mandated player availability report.Kanu is attempting to play through a torn bicep with a brace on his arm.#Texas DL Hero Kanu with the massive brace on his left arm ahead of tonight’s game Will be good to play via @InsideTexaspic.twitter.com/9FO18fjlbI— Evan Vieth (@EvanVieth) November 14, 2026LSU linebacker Whit Weeks is a game-time decision after missing almost two months with a fractured leg, but according to the broadcast, Weeks will not play.First quarterLSU won the toss and deferred to the second half, kicking it away to Texas to start the game, a touchback. Opening with a screen to junior wide receiver Ryan Wingo, the St. Louis product navigated traffic at the line of scrimmage and picked up 12 yards. After a three-yard run by fifth-year running back Raleek Brown, senior quarterback Arch Manning sailed a pass over Wingo’s head. On 3rd and 7, Texas picked up some pressure and Manning delivered a strike to sophomore running back Michael Terry III, lined up as a wide receiver, to move the chains.In four-down territory in another 3rd and 7, Manning showed some patience and good feet to pick up five yards. Needing only two yards to continue the drive, Manning took a shot to junior wide receiver