Can Arch Manning deliver early on absurdly high expectations?

All Arch Manning needs to do is win a national championship and the Heisman Trophy. No problem.

It has been a while since we’ve had these expectations heaped on a first-year starting quarterback. The absurdity of it all is college football in a nutshell. Manning will attempt to accomplish goals usually reserved for veterans. High expectations come with the territory at the University of Texas. High expectations come with the territory in the SEC. High expectations come with the territory when you’re a Manning.

America has been waiting for this day since the heralded recruit committed to the Longhorns in June 2022. It has taken longer than we expected, which has only added more to the intrigue. In the transfer portal era, Manning has been refreshingly patient. He could have easily bolted to any school in America and commanded more NIL money. Quinn Ewers has driven Texas’ offense the past three seasons, and now Manning has the keys.

We’ve caught glimpses of Manning. He started two games last year for an injured Ewers. In 10 games overall, he passed for nine touchdowns and ran for four more. There was pressure, but not the full weight he will experience starting Saturday when top-ranked Texas visits No. 3 Ohio State to open the season. With a road victory over the defending national champion, Manning will further solidify himself as the Heisman favorite. If he loses, that goal is still achievable, but the intensity of expectations will increase.

What further complicates things is that we’re not quite sure if this will be Manning’s lone chance at a national title. After this season, he’s eligible to enter the NFL Draft early. Initially, Archie Manning said that his grandson will return to Austin in 2026. However, Arch said recently that he hasn’t made any firm decisions.

Who do you believe? Based on what we know about Arch Manning, there’s reason to believe his grandfather’s comments are closer to the truth. Arch Manning has demonstrated unusual patience. His uncles, Peyton and Eli, stuck around for their senior season instead of forgoing their eligibility. Arch Manning might not be in a rush to turn pro.

With the expanded College Football Playoff, it’s easier than ever to compete for a national championship. Ohio State didn’t even win its conference. Texas will enter Columbus knowing that not all is lost if the Longhorns stumble early. But if Manning struggles, there will be questions. Is he as good as everyone thinks he is? Or is this just hype due to his surname? At least one analyst thinks so. 

Because of his pedigree, no college football player is better equipped to handle this pressure. It’s remarkable how polished Arch Manning sounds. Then again, he has been dealing with the media and expectations since high school. College football is at its best when there’s a prominent face of the sport.

The Mannings are football royalty, and Arch Manning is the current king, even though he hasn’t quite earned the crown yet.