Is Arch Manning the most important offensive player for Texas vs. Ohio State football?

Is Arch Manning the most important offensive player for Texas vs. Ohio State football?

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Arch Manning’s first snap against Ohio State football was successful but short-lived.

Serving as Texas’ backup quarterback against OSU in January’s Cotton Bowl, Manning stepped in for Quinn Ewers on a crucial fourth down. Needing one yard late in the second quarter, the Longhorns elected to run the ball with their former five-star prospect.

It worked, with UT getting a first down. Three plays later, Ewers connected on a pass to running back Jaydon Blue for a game-tying touchdown.

However, lost in the shuffle of that drive was Manning’s exit from the contest. The first-down run came with consequences as Ohio State safety Lathan Ransom delivered a big hit on Manning.

Manning said last month he wasn’t concussed on the play, which arguably should’ve been ruled a fumble, but he didn’t return to action. Texas’ season ended later that evening.

Entering the 2025 season, he won’t watch much of Ohio State vs. Texas from the sideline.

Manning enters this season as the favorite (+650, according to DraftKings) to win the Heisman. He’s a former five-star prospect and the nephew of NFL greats Peyton and Eli Manning.

With that comes hefty expectations for his junior campaign. If Texas wants to open its season with a road win vs. the defending champs, he’ll need to deliver.

Manning possesses dual-threat traits. That was on display in Texas’ third game of the 2024 season against the University of Texas at San Antonio.