Arch Manning, a Texas quarterback, has gained nationwide attention. Entering his first season as a full-time starter, a recent breakdown by Joe Deleone from The Ruffino and Joe Show has the Longhorns in excellent shape to make a legit run at the SEC title.
Manning, the backup of Quinn Ewers last year, will likely assume all the reins of the Steve Sarkisian offense in 2025. The experience, combined with what he has learned on the sidelines, is currently being viewed as a huge asset by analysts like Deleone.
He feels that Manning’s time to develop last season was paramount, especially in the SEC, where the expectations are high.
“Arch Manning is one of the few guys that I’m willing to bet on because he has been around the game for so long and has such a natural ability to impact the game,” Deleone said during a recent segment on The Ruffino and Joe Show. “And more importantly, [he] was behind Quinn Ewers, [who] made a lot of backbreaking mistakes that killed them last year. I think that Arch is going to reel it in a little bit better.” he added.
Manning did get two games as a starter under his belt when Ewers was out with an injury. In the start against Mississippi State where he completed 26 of 31 passes for 324 yards and two touchdowns. It seems Deleone believes he will continue that pattern into 2025.
Texas Opens Its Second SEC Season With a Grueling 2025 Slate
Texas has one of the toughest schedules in college football. The Football Power Index of ESPN has listed the schedule of the Longhorns as the fourth most difficult in the nation, with half a dozen battles against the top‑25 FPI opponents. Starting with defending champion Ohio State on August 30, marching into a hostile environment and against one of the best defenses in the country is not the way to start.
The SEC schedule has crucial road games against Florida (Oct. 4) and Georgia (Nov. 15). Georgia has been known to be a premier program, having been in 2 out of the last three national championships. Florida, meanwhile, has hopes of getting back to their standard. Texas also plays a neutral-site rivalry game against Oklahoma on Oct. 11 in Dallas.
Out of the 6 most difficult games, only 1 will be played at home, according to David Eckert of the Austin American-Statesman.
Deleone still remains confident that the team around Manning is more than deep enough to bear the pressure. This year, the test will start in week one in Columbus.
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