Believe it or not, Texas’ championship hopes are riding on one name—Arch Manning. With a roster built to win now, the Longhorns have positioned themselves as a true national title contender in 2025. But the real question isn’t whether Texas can compete—it’s whether Manning can progress fast enough to lead them all the way.
According to insider J.D. Pickell, Manning doesn’t need to be perfect from day one. However, his month-by-month growth will determine whether Texas can finally capture SEC glory and make a serious College Football Playoff run. And it all begins with Ohio State in Week 1.
Insider J.D. PicKell Outlines Month-By-Month Expectations For Arch Manning As Texas Prepares For Ohio State And A National Title Run
Every Texas Longhorns fan is currently obsessed with Manning. As the 2025 season approaches, he’s preparing to take over as the starting quarterback, and the pressure is real. Expectations are high, and he bears the responsibility of leading a championship-caliber team.
But here’s the good news: head coach Steve Sarkisian has built a stacked roster filled with elite talent on both offense and defense. PicKell explained in a recent episode of “The Hard Count” that this balanced lineup provides Texas with a solid safety net. Even if Manning plays like a first-year starter, the team is built to stay competitive.
Of course, everyone hopes Manning won’t play like a rookie. He’s one of the rising Heisman Trophy candidates this season. But if he struggles to handle the pressure, Pickell has laid out a month-by-month plan for how Manning must grow if Texas wants to reach the top.
PicKell emphasized that Manning doesn’t need to be perfect right away, but he must progress steadily throughout the season. “They’re after a national championship in 2025,” PicKell said. “So, how do you get there? To me, that would require some monthly strides from Arch Manning.”
He added, “Like, in September, I need them to just find a way against Ohio State. That would be preferable for me. Just find a way … In October, I need us to open it up a little bit. Start to ask the question, ‘Can we count on you?’ … By November, I need us to touch top speed … In December, we need to be in final boss mode.”
Though he has limited experience, analysts are already predicting a breakout year for him. In limited play last season, Manning threw for 806 yards, eight touchdowns, and two interceptions. He completed 69.4% of his passes and added 82 rushing yards with two rushing touchdowns.
KEEP READING: Arch Manning’s Looming Exit Has Texas, Steve Sarkisian Bracing For Costly QB Transition
The insider says Texas doesn’t need Manning to be a superstar in Week 1. What they need is smart football. A controlled, mistake-free approach will let Texas test Ohio State’s defense while keeping the game within reach.
With a strong team backing him, especially on defense, Manning has the support he needs to grow into the starting role and take command of the offense..
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