Texas just lost Hollywood Smothers for the year right before Missouri

The Texas running back room keeps getting smaller at the worst time. Hollywood Smothers is done for the season with a torn MCL, ESPN's Pete Thamel confirmed Thursday, and 247Sports reported the same season-ending knee verdict.

Smothers was the splashy portal add from NC State. He scored the last two touchdowns in the Ohio State win and still finishes 2026 with 283 rushing yards, two rushing scores and a receiving touchdown in six games. Four carries for minus-6 against Mississippi State were his last touches before trainers helped him off.

Raleek Brown (452 yards, five touchdowns per CBS Sports) now has to carry a heavier load with Michael Terry III and Derrek Cooper behind him. Left tackle Trevor Goosby is already out for the year. Colin Simmons, Ryan Wingo, Cam Coleman and Graceson Littleton are on the questionable list for Saturday at No. 18 Missouri.

No. 7 Texas is still in the playoff conversation at 6-2. It is also walking into Columbia short a starting tackle and its former lead back. That is a lot of absences for a November road game that can decide whether the Longhorns look like a CFP team or a bruised SEC roster managing the week.