Arch Manning has answered Texas biggest challenges but an even tougher stretch awaits after the Longhorns’ bye
Five of the Longhorns' next six games are against teams that are currently ranked in the top 25
After missing the playoffs last season for the first time since 2023 , head coach Steve Sarkisian and star quarterback Arch Manning entered the 2026 college football season with heavy expectations and a score to settle with the Texas Longhorns .
They have engineered an exceptional start to the opening month, capturing an undefeated record (4-0) highlighted by a statement victory over Ohio State while reigning as the top-ranked team in the nation heading into their early bye week.
The roster has demonstrated impressive balance across both sides of the ball, but the ultimate test lies immediately ahead following the bye, featuring a brutal gauntlet where five of their next six games come against ranked opponents , punctuated by the legendary Red River Rivalry against the Oklahoma Sooners next week.
Arch Manning Overcomes Slow Stats With Clutch Play as Tougher SEC Gauntlet Looms
For now, Arch Manning remains firmly on track as a projected first-round NFL Draft pick should he declare after the season, showing noticeable growth from last year by stepping up when the lights shine brightest, such as orchestrating a stunning 20-point comeback against Ohio State in Week 2.
Through the first four games of his senior campaign, Manning's traditional box scores might not immediately scream Heisman frontrunner, but his underlying impact tells a different story.
The junior signal-caller is currently completing 63.5 percent of his passes for 862 yards and seven touchdowns against three interceptions, while adding 82 rushing yards on 32 carries .
Team-wise, Texas ranks No. 57 nationally in scoring at 33.3 points per game , alongside 147.25 rushing yards per game (93rd) and No. 71 in passing .
Yet, while his aggregate numbers remain modest, Manning shines in high-pressure moments: according to CFBStats.com , he is completing a scorching 76.9 percent of his passes for 115 yards and a touchdown in the fourth quarter, drastically outperforming his early-game splits and playing flawless, mistake-free football when the Longhorns require a late-game rescue.
Following the bye and the showdown with Oklahoma, Texas faces an unforgiving stretch featuring home matchups against Florida (No. 8) , Ole Miss (No. 9) , and Mississippi State (No. 16) , alongside daunting road trips to Missouri (No. 25) and LSU (No. 11) .
Undeniably, Texas is navigating one of the most grueling schedules in the entire NCAA.
If Manning and the Longhorns emerge from this heavy-metal stretch unscathed or with a single blemish, his draft stock will skyrocket, cementing him as the undisputed favorite to go first overall just like his illustrious uncles, Peyton and Eli .
