AUSTIN, Texas — The moment that countless fans of the Texas Longhorns, known for their burnt orange pride, have eagerly anticipated is almost here. Arch Manning is officially taking over as Texas’ undisputed starting quarterback when the Longhorns travel to face the Ohio State Buckeyes this Saturday. After spending the last two years as a reserve quarterback behind Quinn Ewers, Manning is now ready to step into the spotlight, according to coach Steve Sarkisian and his teammates.
Having started just two games last season in relief of an injured Ewers and accumulated 268 snaps across 12 games mostly as a backup, Manning is primed to showcase his skills. “This is what I’ve been waiting for,” Manning expressed during a recent interview. “I spent two years not playing, so I might as well go have some fun, right?”
During a 10-minute session with local reporters, Manning praised the talent of the Buckeyes while highlighting the strength of his own teammates. He acknowledged the significant challenge ahead, especially after Texas fell 28-14 to Ohio State in the College Football Playoff semifinal at the Cotton Bowl last season. With 26 combined players drafted from both teams’ 2024 rosters, the landscape has changed considerably since their last showdown.
“I’m excited for this challenge; it’s going to be a big one,” Manning stated. “Opening up with the reigning champ, what more could you ask for? That’s why you come to Texas.” Despite being his first career road start in a high-pressure environment, Sarkisian believes that Manning is well-prepared due to his experiences last season.
“He’s just prepared well, he’s practiced well, and he’s had to go against our defense every day,” Sarkisian explained. “He’s been in these environments… We put him in the semifinal game last year and the game at Texas A&M. Now he just gets to play more snaps, which I know he’s excited about.”
Manning enters the season with considerable hype surrounding him, attributed to his family legacy, being a former No. 1 overall recruit, and the glimpses of talent he has displayed in limited action. He is currently a favorite for the Heisman Trophy according to BetMGM and is projected as a potential first-round NFL Draft pick whenever he decides to declare.
Despite the high expectations, Manning has sought to remain grounded. He remarked at SEC media days, “I’m not really sure how they get these opinions. I’ve only played what, two games? … I guess that’s nice to say. But you know, that doesn’t mean anything. Talk is cheap; I’ve gotta go prove it.” Maintaining this level of humility, Manning emphasized the importance of focusing on the game ahead.
This weekend will mark Manning’s first visit to Columbus, a place he did not visit during the recruiting process. He described the Buckeyes as “really good” and “well-coached,” particularly singling out safety Caleb Downs for praise. “I can’t say enough good things about him,” Manning noted. “He’s a really good player, and we’re going to have to bring our A-game.”
Having their season concluded by the Buckeyes last year serves as motivation for the Longhorns, according to Manning. “That was our last loss before the championship game, and we open with them, so it’s kind of a unique situation,” he said. “But yeah, we definitely use that as motivation.”
Sarkisian’s advice to Manning is straightforward: “Just be yourself and don’t try to be superhuman.” He encouraged Manning to play in a way that feels natural and comfortable. “You don’t have to do anything you’ve never done before… go play the way he’s capable of,” Sarkisian added.
As game day approaches, Manning plans to trust in his training, his coaches, and the practice regimen that has prepared him for this moment. When asked about the pressure and attention that comes with being the starting quarterback, Manning offered a refreshing perspective. “I think that’s always at Texas, and I think we kind of try to shift the narrative that we’re going for everyone else,” he said confidently. “The target’s not on our back. We’ve got a red dot on everyone else.”
With a new season on the horizon and a challenging opponent in Ohio State, all eyes will be on Arch Manning as he takes the field and leads his team into battle.
