Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Christian Alliegro shared that defensive coordinator Matt Patricia has used one legendary NFL quarterback as a comparison for Arch Manning, and that has been none other than Ben Roethilstberger.
"Coach [Patricia] was showing us clips of how they would tackle Big Ben back in the day," Alliegro said. "You've gotta wrap 'em high, and everybody's gotta kinda come and go get him. No diving this week, for sure; you can't do that cause [Manning's] gonna get out of it."
Christian Alliegro said Matt Patricia has shown Ohio State’s defense clips of his NFL players tackling Ben Roethlisberger to teach them how to tackle Arch Manning 🤔 pic.twitter.com/PLckwhuHcl
— Eleven Warriors (@11W) September 10, 2026
Now, comparing Manning to a Hall of Fame-bound, Super Bowl-winning quarterback is a massive compliment.
However, there is something that the comparison entirely misses, and it's something that even Alliegro hinted at while talking to the media: Manning's ability to run the ball.
Yes, the Texas Longhorns' QB1 is a big dude, just like Roethlisberger is. However, during his 18-year career in the NFL, Roethlisberger averaged just over 5.5 rushing yards per game. Yes, you read that correctly.
Throughout the 249 games that Roethlisberger played in, he earned must 1,373 total rushing yards for only 20 touchdowns.
Ignoring Arch Manning's run game could be a fatal error for Ohio State
While college football is nowhere near the same level as the NFL, at least when it comes to a defensive line's ability to stop the quarterback keeper, Manning has an undeniably elite ability as a dual-threat quarterback.
Manning only ran the ball a few times and earned just six yards in the Horns' first game of the season, but during his first year as Texas's starting quarterback, he averaged 30.7 yards on the ground per game and found the end zone 10 times.
Even if you compare Manning and Roethlisberger's college careers (which actually favors Roethlisberger since he played for Miami (OH) in the MAC), Big Ben only earned 246 rushing yards over three seasons.
Yes, the technical way the Buckeyes should try to tackle Manning may be similar to how Roethlisberger was taken down. And the two quarterbacks' builds are almost comparable, with Manning standing at 6-foot-4, 222 pounds, and Roethlisberger standing at 6-foot-5, 240 pounds.
However, Patricia having his linebackers and defensive line simply watch old highlights of his former players tackling Roethlisberger is a huge mistake because the former Steelers' QB simply didn't have the same dual-threat abilities that Manning has.
Even last season, Manning earned 38 rushing yards as Ohio State defeated Texas in their first game of the season.
Sure, Steve Sarkisian and the Horns have put an emphasis on Manning not needing to run the ball as much as he did last year, with an improved offensive line and running back room to relieve that stress. But if this is Ohio State's game plan, why wouldn't Texas's QB1 use every asset he has to his name to put the Buckeyes in their place?
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