Ole Miss vs. Texas is the opportunity to completely reshape the SEC this week. The Ole Miss Rebels are rolling, while the Texas Longhorns and quarterback Arch Manning are searching for answers after back-to-back losses.

The result of this game could change the entire conference race. One team is playing like a title contender, while the other faces major questions about its quarterback and head coach.

Ole Miss looks like the best team in the SEC

Ole Miss is coming off back-to-back dominant victories. The Rebels beat Vanderbilt 52-17, then dominated Missouri 31-3.

The most encouraging part of that stretch is the defense. Ole Miss had a porous defense that struggled early in the year, but it has turned a corner. Against Mizzou, the Rebels shut down running back Jamal Roberts and the Tigers’ rushing attack, holding them to only 39 yards on the ground.

Those last two games make Ole Miss look like it could be the best team in the SEC. Now, the Rebels have another chance to make a statement against a quality conference opponent. I believe last week is all of the evidence we need for them winning this game.

Texas and Arch Manning are running out of answers

Meanwhile, Texas is floundering. The Longhorns have lost back-to-back games against Oklahoma and Florida, falling 27-24 in both.

The offense has been the problem. Last game, Texas produced only 272 total yards of offense and converted just two third downs. Despite an elite defense, Manning hasn’t taken advantage of it. He’s completed only 63% of his passes and has thrown five interceptions.

Longhorns coach Steve Sarkisian made it clear this week that KJ Lacey will not start over Manning. Even so, Manning’s leash could be much shorter in this game.

The bigger picture is even more concerning for Texas. A loss would absolutely call into question whether Sarkisian can get the program where it’s trying to go. He has plenty of resources at his disposal, yet the Longhorns keep falling short of keeping up with the top programs in the conference.

Why Ole Miss wins this matchup

Ole Miss is the most likely to win this game, given how it has played over the last two weeks. The Rebels’ offense is explosive, their defense has improved, and quarterback Trinidad Chambliss looks unbelievable.

Chambliss is leading a passing attack that ranks 23rd in EPA per dropback. That kind of efficiency puts real pressure on a defense, even one as talented as Texas’.

Additionally, the Longhorns won’t have Colin Simmons, and his absence will hurt the Texas defense. Losing a player of that caliber makes it harder to slow down an offense that’s firing on all cylinders.

On the other side of the ball, Manning faces a long day. The Texas offensive line has given up 17 sacks, and it’s now facing an improved Ole Miss defensive line that just suffocated Missouri. If the Rebels’ front controls the line of scrimmage, Manning will get smothered.

This game will tell us a lot about both programs. A win would cement Ole Miss as a legitimate force at the top of the SEC. A loss would push Texas deeper into a crisis that’s starting to center on its quarterback and its coach.

Based on how these two teams have trended over the last two weeks, I find it very hard to believe that Texas would suddenly resolve its woes to knock off this hot Ole Miss team.