Arch Manning’s Tough Day in Columbus

The excitement around Arch Manning took a hit in Columbus on Saturday afternoon. The Buckeyes didn’t just stop the hype—they dismantled it.

In his first outing as the starting quarterback for Texas, Manning faced his biggest challenge yet against No. 3 Ohio State, and unfortunately, it didn’t go well. There was a lot of buzz about Manning as a potential Heisman candidate, but most of the afternoon felt like a letdown.

He did manage to string together a respectable 60-yard touchdown drive, pulling Texas within seven points just before the four-minute mark. That moment sparked some hope. Also, he made a standout throw, hitting Jack Endley for 30 yards—a highlight in an otherwise tough outing.

However, after that, the Longhorns couldn’t keep the momentum going. Manning had a chance on a crucial third down but misfired, throwing behind an open Ryan Wingo, resulting in an incomplete pass. When it came to fourth down, he connected with Endley again, but it was short of the needed yardage, effectively sealing Texas’s fate.

Overall, it was a challenging game for Manning. He struggled in the first three quarters, finishing the half with fewer than 30 passing yards.

Things slightly improved as the third quarter kicked off, but then he threw an interception to Jermaine Mathews Jr., which led directly to an Ohio State touchdown.

It’s important to note that this was a tough matchup, yet Manning, who isn’t a true freshman but a junior with two years of experience behind Quin Ewers, was expected to perform better.

Looking ahead, he has a chance to bounce back against less daunting opponents—Texas will face San Jose State and UTEP in the next couple of weeks. However, this performance has certainly cast a shadow on his Heisman prospects for now.

Manning really needs to step things up before SEC play starts. If not, the Longhorns, who came into the season ranked No. 1, might find it challenging to make a return to the playoffs.