Texas (9–3, 6–2 SEC) and Texas A&M (11–1, 7–1 SEC) renewed a rivalry that never disappoints, and this edition delivered everything fans expected—fireworks, momentum swings, and a major development leap from one quarterback. Manning vs. Reed. Longhorns vs. Aggies. Classic.
What was on the line?
Texas A&M: A trip to the SEC Championship Game.
Texas: Survival in the College Football Playoff hunt.
Here’s Arch Manning’s full game report card:
Stat line
14/29 passing, 179 yards, 1 TD
7 carries, 53 rushing yards (7.3 YPC), 1 rushing TD
The first half was uneven as Texas searched for rhythm, but once Manning settled in, everything shifted.
What I liked
Used his legs
This is Manning’s superpower. Against one of the SEC’s best defenses, he averaged 7.3 yards per carry—a mark many running backs haven’t reached this season. His mobility kept drives alive, extended plays, and became the difference between winning and losing.
Progressions
Manning took a noticeable step forward. He worked through reads, stayed controlled in the pocket, and delivered the football with conviction. It wasn’t flashy—it was steady, disciplined quarterbacking, and it mattered.
A completely clean sheet. No interceptions. No offensive turnovers. You win rivalry games by valuing possessions, and Manning did that at a high level.
Game Grade: B
Final thoughts
Will this game push Manning into any major award conversations? No. But it does reinforce something more important: he’s fully capable of running this offense—and has been for a while. Quarterback development is rarely linear, and this was another meaningful step in his evolution.
What impressed most was his poise. When the start was rough, he didn’t spiral. He didn’t press. He played within the structure, trusted his reads, and executed winning football—something young quarterbacks often struggle with in high-stakes environments.
Now, Texas waits.
Best-case: a backdoor CFP berth.
Worst-case: a high-profile bowl matchup.
Either way, 2026 sets the stage for Manning to make a legitimate run at the Heisman conversation. After a performance like this, there’s no doubt he’s trending in the right direction.