Arch Manning is running out of runway to make his Heisman case - but the schedule is about to hand him every chance to do it.
The Texas quarterback enters Week 6 at +3000 to win the Heisman Trophy on FanDuel, a sharp drop from the +1100 he carried after his Week 1 showing. He’s now chasing Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, the current favorite at -110, and sits behind Darian Mensah (+700), Keelon Russell (+750), CJ Carr (+750) and Trinidad Chambliss (+1500).
After a bye week, Manning and No. 1 Texas are back Saturday against Oklahoma in the Red River Rivalry, the first in a stretch of games that could decide how real his Heisman push becomes.
Texas still has multiple contenders left on the schedule, which means Manning’s profile could rise quickly if he starts stacking big performances. Florida running back Jaden Baugh briefly surged into the race after a three-touchdown game against Ole Miss, but his odds slipped to +8000 after a quieter outing against Missouri. Chambliss remains in the mix at +1500.
The Longhorns will also see Mississippi State quarterback Kamario Taylor, who had climbed into the conversation before Alabama knocked the Bulldogs back and pushed his odds to +3500.
Manning’s last outing didn’t give the Heisman race much to work with. In Texas’ 20-17 win over Tennessee, he threw for 201 yards with no touchdowns and one interception.
Texas has the No. 1 ranking, and that matters. The team success is there.
Now Manning needs the kind of production that makes the numbers catch up. The next few weeks will tell that story.
In Other News...
Texas Gets Encouraging Return But Faces New Depth Concern Vs Oklahoma
Texas heads into the Red River Rivalry with some welcome health news as the No. 1 Longhorns get safety Xavier Filsaime back for his season debut. Tight end Nick Townsend is also trending toward availability after dealing with a knee injury, and running back Hollywood Smothers has come off the injury report as the staff gets ready for one of the biggest games on the schedule.
The good news, though, comes with a bit of unease on the depth chart. Justus Terry and Jordan Coleman are expected to sit out because of injuries, leaving Texas to juggle its personnel again at a time when every healthy body matters against Oklahoma. With the Longhorns still unbeaten at 4-0, the latest injury updates add another layer to a matchup that already carries plenty of weight. [Read more 🡒]
Texas Just Landed A Rivalry Win Longhorn Fans Will Love
Right before the Red River Rivalry, Texas added a recruiting win that hits a little harder than most. Micah Rhodes, a four-star running back in the class of 2028 and a Texas native, switched his commitment from Oklahoma to Texas, giving the Longhorns another promising piece for the future and a name that already carries some weight around the program.
Rhodes is a legacy recruit with family ties to Texas, which only adds to the appeal for Longhorn fans who care as much about the uniform as the talent. He has already shown strong high school production, and his move to Austin gives Texas an early boost in building out its 2028 offensive class while also landing a prospect who chose the Longhorns over a rival in a way that is sure to resonate around the state. [Read more 🡒]
Texas Defense Is Hiding One Concern For No. 1 Longhorns
The Longhorns have had enough offensive hiccups to leave some room for concern, but their defense has been the real stabilizer in a perfect start. Under Will Muschamp, Texas has turned opponents away at an elite rate and has done so while carrying the burden of being the No. 1 team in the country, the kind of edge that can keep a team upright when the other side of the ball is still searching for rhythm.
What makes the run even more notable is the level of competition Texas has already seen, with the schedule asking for answers against Ohio State and Tennessee. For a team trying to protect its top ranking, the defensive performance has been the clearest reason the Longhorns have been able to keep moving forward, even as the offense has not always matched it snap for snap. [Read more 🡒]