The SEC coaching carousel may have slowed down, but now the spotlight shifts to the quarterbacks-and it’s heating up fast. With the transfer portal wide open and NFL declarations looming, some of the conference’s top signal-callers are weighing major decisions. But one domino has already fallen, and it’s a big one: Arch Manning is staying at Texas for the 2026 season.
That’s right-Manning, one of the most high-profile QBs in college football, isn’t headed for the NFL or the portal. He’s running it back with the Longhorns. And while that may seem like a Texas-centric headline, don’t be fooled-this decision reverberates all the way to Athens.
Why Arch Manning’s Return Is a Win for Georgia
Let’s start with the obvious: Georgia is 3-0 against Texas since the Longhorns joined the SEC. Manning has been under center for all three of those matchups, including this season’s 35-10 blowout where Georgia’s defense had him bottled up from start to finish. The Bulldogs have had Texas’ number, and they’ve done it with Manning on the other sideline.
So when news breaks that Manning is sticking around for another year in burnt orange, Georgia fans have every reason to feel good. If the Bulldogs and Longhorns cross paths again-say, in the SEC Championship Game-it’s hard not to like Georgia’s chances based on recent history.
A Look Back at the Matchups
Let’s rewind to the 2024 SEC title game. Georgia lost Carson Beck to injury at halftime, and Gunner Stockton stepped in cold.
What did he do? Just led a comeback and took the Dawgs to an overtime victory.
Fast forward to this season, and Stockton didn’t just manage the game-he controlled it. Georgia’s offense moved with rhythm, and the defense made Manning look pedestrian.
That’s not to say Manning lacks talent-far from it. He’s got the pedigree, the arm, and the upside.
But when it comes to facing Georgia, the results haven’t been there. The Bulldogs have consistently flustered him with pressure, disguised coverages, and a front seven that doesn’t give an inch.
What’s Next for 2026?
Georgia and Texas aren’t scheduled to meet in the regular season next year, but the SEC Championship Game is always in play. If Manning does take a leap in his development-and that’s certainly possible-he could pose a different kind of threat.
But the same growth curve applies to Stockton, assuming he’s back under center for Georgia. He’s shown flashes of being not just a capable backup, but a potential star in his own right.
So if these two teams meet again with a title on the line, Georgia will enter with a psychological edge and a proven blueprint for success. Manning’s return doesn’t change that-it reinforces it. The Bulldogs have seen this version of Texas before, and they’ve handled it.
Bottom Line
Arch Manning staying at Texas is a headline that will dominate offseason chatter, and rightfully so. But for Georgia, it’s a familiar challenge.
They’ve faced this quarterback, this team, and this system-and they’ve come out on top every time. Until Texas proves otherwise, the Bulldogs have every reason to feel confident if the paths cross again in 2026.