The Texas Longhorns enter Week 9 against Vanderbilt with a critical need for a win after their first loss of the season to Georgia, falling 30-15. Although Vanderbilt is ranked lower at No. 25, they recently pulled off a shocking upset over Alabama, meaning Texas, ranked No. 5, can’t afford to underestimate them. However, Texas might face this challenge without a key offensive player, as wide receiver Isaiah Bond has been downgraded from questionable to doubtful, according to Pete Nakos of On3 Sports.
Bond suffered an ankle injury during the Red River Rivalry against Oklahoma in Week 7, and although he tried to play through it against Georgia, he only managed two catches for 11 yards and a touchdown.
With a bye week coming in Week 10, Bond could have extra time to recover, making him more likely to return in time for Texas’ game against Florida on November 9. Head coach Steve Sarkisian hinted that resting Bond until after the bye week might be wise, stating, “There’s a fine line in figuring that out.”
Bond’s absence would be a significant setback for Texas, as he’s been their top deep-threat target with 23 receptions for 380 yards and four touchdowns this season. If Bond is unavailable, quarterback Quinn Ewers will rely more on tight end Gunnar Helm, who is expected to become his primary target. Matthew Golden and Ryan Wingo have also shown strong performances and could play essential roles in the offense this week.
The Longhorns will have to adjust quickly to keep their playoff hopes alive, aiming for a win against a tough Vanderbilt team despite Bond’s uncertain status.
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