Head coach Steve Sarkisian and the Texas Longhorns are at a crossroads as the 2025 college football season approaches. With Arch Manning, a quarterback carrying the weight of a legendary football lineage, leading the charge, analysts and fans see the team as a potential national championship contender.
Yet, a glaring weakness threatens to derail those ambitions: the Longhorns’ persistent struggles in the red zone. With Manning at the helm and a loaded roster, can the Longhorns get it done in 2025?
Understanding Texas’ Red Zone Struggles Under Steve Sarkisian
Analyst Andy Staples and Ari Wasserman from On3 recently underscored this point about Sarkisian and the Longhorns on their podcast.
“If Sark gets the red zone stuff figured out, Texas is going to be unstoppable,” Staples said.
Wasserman noted how the margins for error shrink as a team nears championship caliber, adding, “When you get as close as Texas has been the last few years to winning a national championship, the things that are keeping you from it, the margins become smaller.”
For a program with the talent and resources of Texas, solving this critical issue could be the key to unlocking its full potential.
The red zone is where games are often won or lost. It’s a proving ground for an offense’s ability to execute under pressure, with defenses tightening and space shrinking. For Texas, this 20-yard area has exposed vulnerabilities that have cost them dearly in recent seasons.
Statistics highlight Texas’s red zone challenges. In the 2024 season, the Longhorns converted 63.8% of their red zone appearances into touchdowns, with 15.9% resulting in field goals, according to Yahoo Sports.
While this is an improvement over their 2023 rate of 50.8%, this figure still trails elite programs like Ohio State, which exceed 75% in touchdown conversions.
The gap becomes even more glaring in critical games. Take the SEC Championship loss to Georgia in 2024, for instance. Texas reached the red zone three times but failed to score a touchdown on any of those trips, settling for field goals or coming up empty.
That inefficiency proved decisive in a game decided by a narrow margin. Analysts have pointed to a mix of factors behind these struggles. Poor play calling, inconsistent execution, and occasional breakdowns in the offensive line have all played a role.
Arch Manning’s Critical Role in Red Zone Situations
Manning arrived at Texas with very high expectations. His name alone evokes memories of his uncles, Peyton and Eli, dominating the NFL. His arm talent and poise have already flashed in games, driving the Longhorns down the field with ease at times.
Yet, the red zone presents a unique challenge for the young quarterback, testing his ability to make quick decisions in tight quarters.
MORE: ‘There’s Nowhere Else I Want to Be’ — Arch Manning Breaks Silence on Becoming Face of Texas Football
Manning’s strengths are evident. His mobility allows him to escape pressure and extend plays, a trait that could prove invaluable near the goal line. However, his inexperience has shown in key moments.
Defenses often load the box or blitz in the red zone, forcing quarterbacks to read and react swiftly. Early in his career, Manning has occasionally hesitated or forced throws, leading to incompletions or worse.
Sarkisian has been vocal about Manning’s development in these situations. In an interview with On3, the head coach stressed the need for his quarterback to take command and make smart choices under pressure.
Sarkisian sees Manning’s legs as a weapon, envisioning designed runs or options to keep defenses off balance. Still, the coach has cautioned against over-reliance on athleticism, emphasizing the need for precision and discipline to avoid costly mistakes.
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