Can Arch Manning lead Texas past No. 1 Ohio State
After a strong opener, Arch Manning faces intense pressure and opportunity against top ranked Ohio State.
This is judgement, and there’s no avoiding it. Especially with the undeniable family connection.
But make no mistake, this isn’t about rivalries, it’s about playing big in memorable games.
Forget about Arch Manning’s performance against unbeaten Texas A&M last season, or a second half of the season where he clearly developed into one of the game’s best quarterbacks.
The only thing that matters, the only thing that lasts, are losses and ugly performances to Ohio State and Georgia.
“Not a lot of good memories a year ago,” Manning said.
Not a lot of good memories for the Manning family in big games against the elite of college football. Uncle Peyton Manning famously failed to beat Florida three times, and uncle Eli was 1-2 vs. LSU.
Florida and LSU were not only at the top of the SEC in the late 1990s and early 2000s, they were at the top of college football. Just like Ohio State and Georgia now.
Arch Manning gets another shot at Ohio State on Saturday in Austin, a year after a forgettable performance in a season-opening loss. He completed 17 of 30 passes for 170 yards last year, and was routinely confused by Ohio State defensive coordinator Matt Patricia while Texas scored a measly seven points.
Texas coach Steve Sarkisian said after the game — and any time he has been asked since — he didn’t do enough to help Manning, and too much is made from one game. A fair point, no question.
But there also comes a time when Manning has to play better against the elite of the game. He struggled against SEC champion Georgia last season, too, a performance that evoked memories of the first time he faced the Dawgs.
That was two years ago in Austin, a redshirt freshman thrown into replacing ineffective starter Quinn Ewers in a rout of a game. It went about how you’d expect: a humbling, deer-in-the-headlights moment.
And the everlasting memory of Manning in a big moment.
Forget about the win over Oklahoma last season, or his critical play (again) in beating the Aggies, or that he had 19 touchdowns (five rushing) and only two interceptions over the final seven games of last season.
The Ohio State and Georgia losses have defined Manning’s career.
“I get it, that’s the nature of the position, but it’s also unfair,” Sarkisian told me earlier this spring. “We didn’t play well as a team, and we didn’t help as coaches ― in either game.”
When told some quarterbacks play beyond team issues, and carry the moment, Sarkisian said, “I really believe he’s ready for that moment.”
So here we are, with Ohio State rolling into Austin and Manning surrounded by a complete team on both sides of the ball. Texas added elite wideout Cam Coleman in the offseason, and now has four legitimate threats in the pass game, including receivers Ryan Wingo and Emmett Mosley V and tight end Spencer Shannon.
The offensive line may be the best Sarkisian has had in his six seasons at Texas, and the defense is deep and talented. Sarkisian even added longtime SEC defensive coordinator Will Muschamp to the equation, leaving no doubt about an all-in moment.
“It’s not all the time you get a second chance to play another team after a rough loss,” Manning said. “I’m a year better. Anytime you go through a season and get reps, get game experience, and get a whole offseason to get better.”
But how much better? Enough to carry a team no matter the circumstances, with so much on the line?
This game last year likely cost Texas a spot in the College Football Playoff. Had the Longhorns played a body-bag game like most Power conference teams, the 10 wins would’ve been enough.
Considering what awaits Texas later this season, the Longhorns may need a win over Ohio State in case a heavyweight nine-game SEC schedule results in two or three losses. Road or neutral games against Tennessee, Oklahoma, LSU and Texas A&M, and home games against Ole Miss and Florida, will be Texas’ most difficult SEC schedule in three seasons in the league.
A win over Ohio State could also change the dynamics of a team, a quarterback, and a family history — and redefine the remainder of the season.
In July during SEC media days, Manning was asked about the importance of the big games, and the importance of both he and Texas playing at a high level in the moment.
“For sure, we all know that,” he said. “We’re all judged by those type of games. I don’t think that’s unique to this team.”
But fair or not, it’s unique to the Manning family name.
Matt Hayes is the senior national college football writer for USA TODAY Sports Network. Follow him on X at @MattHayesCFB. Listen to him daily, from 12-2 p.m., on 1010XL-Jacksonville.