TAMPA, Fla. — If the rest of the world could be as normal about Arch Manning as he is, there never would have been Heisman Trophy expectations at the beginning last season or a bandwagon exodus of insane proportions when he looked like a typical first-year starting quarterback for nearly half the season.
Manning didn't ask to be anointed as the biggest star in college football before proving anything on the field, but it defined everything about the reaction to Texas' 2025 season. From the crush of publicity in August, to the doom-and-gloom that followed early losses, to the idea that Texas was wronged by the College Football Playoff committee after finishing with a flourish, every narrative turn felt emotionally overwrought.
Now, as Texas enters another season with a loaded roster and a Manning-led offense, one of two things will happen: Either we will learn that the expectations came one year too early or we are about to make the same mistake twice.
"I think last season he found out a lot about himself," Texas coach Steve Sarkisian said Thursday at SEC media days. "Any time we're faced with adversity and we get on the other side of it, you gain confidence. I think you see a different leader in him. The work ethic hasn't changed, but I think the ability to lead vocally is much different than before and I think he's very comfortable with who he is."
With Manning returning for his second go-round as a starter, arguably the most dangerous (and expensive) wide receiver room in college football and a defense that All-American edge rusher Colin Simmons called "stacked," Texas will enter the season right there with Georgia as favorites to win the SEC and among the small group of teams that could contend for the national ******* le.
#season #manning #Football
Manning didn't ask to be anointed as the biggest star in college football before proving anything on the field, but it defined everything about the reaction to Texas' 2025 season. From the crush of publicity in August, to the doom-and-gloom that followed early losses, to the idea that Texas was wronged by the College Football Playoff committee after finishing with a flourish, every narrative turn felt emotionally overwrought.
Now, as Texas enters another season with a loaded roster and a Manning-led offense, one of two things will happen: Either we will learn that the expectations came one year too early or we are about to make the same mistake twice.
"I think last season he found out a lot about himself," Texas coach Steve Sarkisian said Thursday at SEC media days. "Any time we're faced with adversity and we get on the other side of it, you gain confidence. I think you see a different leader in him. The work ethic hasn't changed, but I think the ability to lead vocally is much different than before and I think he's very comfortable with who he is."
With Manning returning for his second go-round as a starter, arguably the most dangerous (and expensive) wide receiver room in college football and a defense that All-American edge rusher Colin Simmons called "stacked," Texas will enter the season right there with Georgia as favorites to win the SEC and among the small group of teams that could contend for the national ******* le.
#season #manning #Football
2 months ago
