The No. 3 Texas Longhorns battled their way to a 20-10 victory over the Arkansas Razorbacks on Saturday at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium.

The win keeps Texas firmly in the hunt for the SEC Championship and showcased their ability to grind out a tough game on the road. However, the performance was far from flawless, offering plenty of takeaways about where the team stands as the postseason approaches.

On the defensive side, Texas continued to shine, forcing two critical turnovers that played a pivotal role in the victory. Jahdae Barron snagged an interception early to set the tone, while Alfred Collins forced a fourth-quarter fumble recovered by Michael Taaffe to seal the win. Taaffe led the defense with eight tackles, and Barron contributed seven, as the Longhorns held Arkansas to just 231 total yards and extended their turnover streak to 18 games.

Offensively, Texas struggled with inconsistency, leaving points on the board and letting Arkansas hang around. The Longhorns leaned on a strong rushing attack and clutch plays from wide receiver Matthew Golden, who hauled in two touchdowns, to pull away late.

Here’s a closer look at what went right and what went wrong for Texas in Fayetteville.

What Went Right: Defensive Dominance

The Longhorns’ defense continued to set the tone, holding Arkansas to just 231 total yards and forcing two crucial turnovers. Jahdae Barron’s first-quarter interception provided an early spark, and Alfred Collins’ forced fumble in the fourth quarter, recovered by Michael Taaffe, sealed the win. Texas has now forced a turnover in all 10 games this season, extending their streak to 18 consecutive games.

What Went Right: Clutch Fourth Quarter

Being excellent in the fourth quarter is always great for a team, especially since the Longhorns have the potential to go to the SEC Championship, College Football Playoff, and even during games like Texas A&M. After Arkansas cut the lead to 13-10, Texas responded with an eight-play, 75-yard drive capped by Matthew Golden’s second touchdown catch. The defense followed with a game-clinching turnover, and the offense milked the final 6:55 off the clock, showcasing their ability to close out games under pressure.

What Went Right: Offensive Balance and Playmaking Spark

Texas leaned on its rushing attack and key playmakers to secure the win. Jaydon Blue led the ground game with 83 yards, while Quintrevion Wisner added 59, helping the Longhorns control the clock and maintain balance in a tough road environment. Complementing the ground game was wide receiver Matthew Golden, who turned his only two catches into touchdowns, extending his streak to three consecutive games with a touchdown reception. Golden’s second score in the fourth quarter provided the breathing room Texas needed to close out the game.

What Went Wrong: Offensive Inconsistency

Quarterback Quinn Ewers, while extending his streak to 21 consecutive games with a passing touchdown, struggled with efficiency and rhythm. Near-turnovers and missed opportunities kept the offense from capitalizing on key moments, allowing Arkansas to stay within striking distance for much of the game. A concern that stuck out for me is Ewers’ tendency to scramble unnecessarily, which occasionally results in sacks, even when the offensive line provides solid protection. While his pocket maneuverability is typically a strength, taking avoidable sacks against tougher opponents, such as Texas A&M or in an SEC Championship game, could prove costly. Texas will need sharper decision-making from their quarterback to reach their full potential in high-stakes matchups, the goal should be, be comfortable, but not too comfortable.

What Went Wrong: Missed Opportunities to Pull Away

Despite dominating statistically, Texas allowed Arkansas to linger far too long in the game. Stalled drives and missed execution in key moments led to a closer-than-expected contest, with the Longhorns clinging to a three-point lead entering the fourth quarter. While Texas is the better team on paper and by the eye test, that dominance wasn’t fully reflected on the field. Head coach Steve Sarkisian’s play-calling came under scrutiny, with many pointing to conservative decisions that failed to put the game away earlier. In the SEC we've learned over five games, holding back isn’t an option—Texas must adopt a more aggressive approach to capitalize on their talent and finish games decisively.

What Went Wrong: Third-Quarter Struggles

The Longhorns came out of halftime sluggish, allowing Arkansas to score 10 unanswered points in the third quarter. The offense failed to sustain drives during this stretch, leaving the defense on the field for extended periods and giving the Razorbacks an opportunity to build momentum. Texas must treat the third quarter with the same intensity as the final quarter—embracing an "all gas, no brakes" mentality. While the Longhorns have shown they can lock in during crunch time, the stress of a fourth-quarter scramble is neither ideal for fans nor sustainable against tougher competition. Establishing consistency out of halftime will be crucial for their championship aspirations.

Looking Ahead: Kentucky, Texas A&M, and Beyond

The Longhorns return to Darrell K. Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 23, to host Kentucky in a 2:30 p.m. showdown broadcast on ABC. With six SEC games under their belt, Texas has learned that the SEC is a different beast—tougher, more demanding, and a clear step up from the Big 12.

Kentucky presents another challenge, but the true test lies just beyond with a rivalry clash against Texas A&M. The Longhorns are inching closer to a possible SEC Championship appearance, but they’ll need to remain sharp and treat every game as a must-win. The pressure is mounting, and Texas must continue to adapt to the grind of SEC football to keep their championship hopes alive. Texas is favored to win-out, per ESPN Analytics, giving the Horns a 94.7% chance to defeat Kentucky, and a 77.2% chance against A&M at Kyle Field. I think there is something both Texas and Texas A&M fans agree on, this couldn't come any sooner.

This article originally appeared on Longhorns Wire: Texas edges Arkansas - What went wrong? What went right?