After the way Arch Manning finished the season for Texas in 2025, it's hard for anyone to be down on him heading into 2026.
Thankfully, his slow start hasn't affected his outlook going forward, and that's evident in CBS Sports' bold prediction piece that they dropped recently. They stated one bold prediction for each team in the way-too-early top 25 for 2026, and they have a pretty exciting one for the Longhorns.
Bold prediction: Arch Manning will break Colt McCoy's single-season passing TD record.
This would be an incerdibly big deal for the team as Colt McCoy was one of the most productive college quarterbacks of all time.
"The Longhorns went all-in on surrounding Arch Manning with more offensive weapons, including the addition of former five-star wide receiver Cam Coleman from Auburn in the transfer portal. Colt McCoy's single-season passing touchdown mark of 34 has stood since 2008, with Sam Ehlinger and Quinn Ewers both coming close in recent years. But, Manning finally tops it -- even if it requires a deep playoff run to get there."
Not only did Steve Sarkisian and Co. bring in more weapons for Manning to throw to, but they might have finally fixed the offensive line, which was an enormous problem for 70% of the year. The additions of Melvin Siani, Laurence Seymore, Dylan Sikorski, and Jonte Newman via the transfer portal provide Texas with a nice mix of "win now" guys and developmental players for the future.
Raleek Brown and Hollywood Smothers coming over from Arizona State and North Carolina State, respectively, give the Longhorns a deadly one-two punch at running back as well to hopefully revamp the rushing attack. This would take even more pressure off Manning and the passing game in 2026.
Overall, it's no secret that the team was trying to do everything that they possibly could to help out Arch Manning this year. Yes, we have to see it on the field, but it definitely looks like they accomplished their goal from where things stand right now heading into the spring.