# Texas Third-Down Struggles Give Ole Miss Defense Edge

> Ole Miss defense targets Texas' third-down weakness for potential road win.
- Title: Texas Third-Down Struggles Give Ole Miss Defense Edge
- Summary: Ole Miss defense targets Texas' third-down weakness for potential road win. Ole Miss can exploit Texas' 20.8% third-down conversion rate to force turnovers…
- Keywords: ole miss, texas longhorns, arch manning, third down, defensive strategy, college football, nfl, seahawks, sports, Texas, Third-Down, Struggles
- Source: Ole Miss Rebels On SI — https://si.com/college/olemiss/football/texas-third-down-struggles-gives-ole-miss-defense-major-opportunity
- Published: 2026-10-21T17:36:17+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: ole miss, texas longhorns, arch manning, third down, defensive strategy, college football, nfl, seahawks, sports
## Texas Longhorns Struggle
Texas has lost consecutive games to Oklahoma and Florida, falling from top national rankings to No. 19.
## Third-Down Conversion Rate
Texas converted only eight of their last 36 third-down attempts, a 22.2% success rate.
## Ole Miss Defense Opportunity
Ole Miss has the defensive personnel to pressure Texas quarterback Arch Manning and force difficult passing situations.
## Quarterback Situation
Backup quarterback KJ Lacey gets more first-team reps after Manning's struggles in the 27-24 loss to Florida.
## Manning's Performance
Manning has thrown for 1,295 yards, 11 touchdowns and five interceptions through six games.
## Texas Ball Control
Texas held the ball for just 21 minutes and 49 seconds against Florida, while Gators controlled possession for 38 minutes and 11 seconds.
## Ole Miss Defense Strategy
Ole Miss can win first down, limit Texas' rushing production and force obvious passing situations.
## Defensive Personnel
Will Echoles, Suntarine Perkins and Luke Ferrelli will play major roles in Ole Miss' defensive game plan.
## Echoles' Impact
Echoles disrupts the pocket with 18 tackles and 1.5 sacks through six games.
## Perkins' Flexibility
Perkins creates pressure from different angles with 20 tackles and 1.5 sacks this season.
## Ferrelli's Production
Ferrelli leads Ole Miss with 39 tackles, adding 2.5 tackles for loss and two sacks.
## Third-Down Advantage
Ole Miss converted 34 of 72 third-down opportunities offensively, a 47.2% rate.
## Missouri Game
Ole Miss' defense held Missouri to six conversions on 17 third-down attempts, allowing only 39 rushing yards.
## Key to Victory
Ole Miss must limit early-down gains to create pressure and finish third-down stops against Texas.
## Game Outcome
If Ole Miss wins on early downs, generates pressure and finishes third-down stops, they can control possession and put Texas in an uncomfortable position.
## Key takeaway

Ole Miss can exploit Texas' 20.8% third-down conversion rate to force turnovers and control possession against the Longhorns.