Texas’ CFP push takes another hit with season-ending injury to key playmaker - USA Today
In a week that might bring Texas some defensive help, the Longhorns appear to be losing a key piece of their offense for the rest of the season.
According to multiple reports, Texas running back Hollywood Smothers is expected to miss the remainder of the season with a torn MCL. He's the second notable offensive player for the Longhorns to sustain a season-ending injury, with the other being offensive tackle Trevor Goosby.
Smothers had been ruled out in both of Texas' SEC player availability reports on Wednesday and Thursday for its Week 10 matchup against No. 19 Missouri.
The NC State transfer left Texas' 31-3 win last week against Mississippi State with an injury.
In his lone season on the Forty Acres, Smothers has racked up 283 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns on 69 carries, adding 10 receptions for 79 yards and a touchdown. His two rushing touchdowns both came in Texas' Week 2 come-from-behind win against then-No. 1 Ohio State.
Smothers' injury isn't the only one that Texas is dealing with on offense in terms of skill players. Cam Coleman and Ryan Wingo, two of Arch Manning's top wide receiver targets, were listed as questionable vs. Missouri on Texas' SEC injury report Thursday.
Texas came in at No. 7 in the first College Football Playoff rankings on Tuesday, which would give the Longhorns a first-round home game in the playoffs should the season have ended after Week 9. The Longhorns were one of five SEC teams included in the projected 12-team CFP bracket.
Texas and Missouri are set for a noon ET kickoff on Saturday, Nov. 7 at Memorial Stadium in Columbia, Missouri.
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