Texas fans walked out of Austin with a swagger on Friday night, and Arch Manningwas right there with them. The Longhorns pulled off one of the most surprising wins of the season, taking down the nation’s third-ranked team in a performance that instantly lit up the college football conversation.
The game wasn’t just an upset. It was the kind of win that reshapes narratives. Manning looked composed, the offense clicked when it mattered, and the energy inside the stadium felt like classic Texas football. After a year filled with twists, the Longhorns suddenly looked like a team that still believes its story isn’t done.
Arch Manning looks NFL-ready with impressive Texas win over Texas A&M
Head coach Steve Sarkisian didn’t wait long to make his case. Speaking with full conviction, he pushed the College Football Playoff committee to take the Longhorns seriously despite their three-loss record. He pointed to an unforgiving SEC schedule and a non-conference trip to Ohio State, where Texas outgained the Buckeyes by nearly 200 yards before falling by a touchdown. In his eyes, the rsum speaks for itself.
If you let us in, we could beat anyone
Texas builds its case, Manning turns up the volume
Manning added fuel to the conversation when reporters asked about Texas’ playoff chances. His answer was quick and confident: “If you let us in, we could beat anyone.” It wasn’t trash talk, but it wasn’t shy either. It was the voice of a quarterback who just engineered a win against a team many analysts believed was the real number one.
Reality may not be so simple. Several contenders have cleaner records, and history hasn’t been kind to teams with three losses. Even so, the expanded 12-team playoff format opens a possible pathway. Analysts like Joel Klatt have noted that rsum strength might carry extra weight this year, especially when a team has marquee wins and a brutal schedule to show for it.
It would be a disservice to our sport if this team is not a playoff team
Texas still needs help, and the committee’s standards are notoriously hard to predict. But after Friday’s performance, the Longhorns have entered the national conversation with new momentum. Whether they make the bracket or not, Manning made his message clear:Texas believes it can take the field with anyone. And after Friday, a lot more people are listening.