Texas quarterback Arch Manning is name brand Jackson Arnold, who transferred from Oklahoma to Auburn this past offseason.
Both players are former five-star recruits who haven’t lived up to expectations yet and have similar abilities as dual-threat quarterbacks. After already shutting down Arnold in their SEC opener, the No. 6 Sooners could use that blue print against Manning when OU plays unranked Texas in the Red River Rivalry at 2:30 p.m. CT Saturday in Dallas.
Sooners' pass rush will overmatch Longhorns
Arnold has more experience than Manning as a junior in his second season as a starter at his second program. Saturday will be Manning’s eighth career start after serving as a backup last year while starting twice before taking over as QB1 this season.
Despite Arnold having more experience, though, there’s a reason he’s still off-brand Arch Manning. Manning is just flat out more talented and has proven that even during a season most have deemed disappointing through five games.
Manning isn’t quite the runner Arnold is, but it could also be because he doesn’t have to be. All of Manning’s passing numbers are better than Arnold’s so far this season. Manning has thrown for 1,115 yards and 11 TDs with five interceptions. He’s also rushed for five more scores.
Although Manning will be the best quarterback the Sooners have faced in 2025, he still won’t be a problem for OU’s elite defense, which ranks second in the country in passing defense and passing touchdowns allowed, and leads the FBS averaging 4.2 sacks a game.
Unlike Arnold, Manning won’t hold onto the ball as long and will look deep, leaving OU’s unproven secondary tested, but that still might not matter with the Sooners’ stellar defensive front.
The Sooners tied a program record with nine sacks against Auburn. Texas’ offensive line isn’t struggling nearly as bad, but it’s still not good. Florida had three sacks total in four games, but last week, the Gators sacked Manning six times to pull off the upset. The Sooners likely won’t break any records, but Texas’ offensive line that had to replace four starters from last season will clearly be overmatched in the trenches against OU.
That pressure against Florida forced Manning to throw two interceptions and consistently put Texas behind the chains. Ohio State was also able to pressure Manning in Week 1, and he threw a pick then and made some throws that were so bad they went viral.
The pressure put on Manning by media to be the next great quarterback has been blamed for his shortcomings, but the truth is, the pressure his offensive line allows is Manning’s biggest hinderance. And the Sooners will be the best the Longhorns have faced yet.