Arch Manning is headed into a Saturday that already feels bigger than a Week 1 box score can explain.
Texas rolled past Texas State 59-7, and Manning did his part in a clean tune-up, finishing 20-of-27 for 305 yards with four touchdowns and one interception. But the Longhorns’ next stop is a far different test, and ESPN analyst Paul Finebaum made it clear he thinks Manning’s response against Ohio State matters on multiple levels.
On “Get Up,” Finebaum said, “I hate to come down on Arch, but he has to have a monster game because that game last year still shadows him a little bit,” Finebaum said. “You understand what that’s like, having a bad game.
If he doesn’t shine, I think it’s going to affect him. But most importantly, Texas has to win that game because that’s going to be on Sarkisian.”
That warning hangs over Manning because of what happened the last time he saw Ohio State. In Texas’ 14-7 loss, Manning finished 17-of-30 for 170 yards, one touchdown and one interception. It wasn’t all on him, but it also wasn’t the kind of outing that quieted the noise around one of college football’s most scrutinized quarterbacks.
Now the spotlight gets even brighter. Manning is set to face Julian Sayin again in a matchup between two projected top picks in the loaded 2027 NFL Draft, with the No. 1 team in the nation on the other side.
For Manning, this is more than another early-season showcase. It’s a chance to show that his name is not the whole story.
In Other News...
Ohio State Looks Strong But Michigan Already Has A Big Ten Problem
After Week 1, the Big Ten mostly stayed in line with expectations, and Ohio State was right where it wanted to be near the top after a decisive opening win. Indiana joined the Buckeyes in holding onto the conferences upper tier, a sign that the leagues early order is already taking shape even if most teams still have plenty to prove.
Michigan, meanwhile, created the first real headache in the standings, squeezing out a narrow and controversial win that left more questions than answers. Rutgers also took a hit with an upset loss, and with early-season results already nudging the rankings around, the next few weeks should tell us far more about which teams are actually built to stay there. [Read more 🡒]
Ohio State Is Suddenly In Play For Two Huge 2028 Targets
Ohio States season-opening rout of Ball State did more than get the Buckeyes off to a fast start on the field. It also gave the staff a chance to showcase the program to a sizable group of visitors, and the early returns in the 2028 recruiting cycle are already starting to matter as the class begins to take shape around both sides of the ball.
Among the names worth tracking are five-star wide receiver Braylon Clark and four-star safety Jalen Flowers, both of whom have Ohio State among their top schools. The Buckeyes already have commitments from several offensive and defensive prospects, and the staff is clearly pushing to build on that foundation while the 2028 board is still forming. [Read more 🡒]
Michigan Already Has A Problem Ohio State Fans Will Love
The first AP Top 25 poll after Week 1 already delivered an early jolt in the Big Ten race, and it was one Ohio State fans were happy to see. Michigan, which entered the season at No. 16, dropped out of the rankings after a shaky opener while the Buckeyes and Texas both handled their business with dominant wins.
Michigans immediate task is straightforward, even if the pressure around it is not: stack together convincing performances and avoid leaving any doubt for the poll voters. After the opening-week escape against Western Michigan, the Wolverines do not have much margin for error, and they will need a much cleaner run in the weeks ahead to climb back into the Top 25. [Read more 🡒]