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AUSTIN, TX – SEPTEMBER 12: Quarterback Arch Manning #16 of the Texas Longhorns readies for a snap during the college football game the Texas Longhorns and the Ohio State Buckeyes on September 12, 2026, at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, TX. (Photo by David Buono/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

University of Texas quarterback Arch Manning looked like a deer in headlights for the first 56 minutes of the game against No. 1 Ohio State.

I’m serious.

I pay close attention to stuff like this. His eyes looked glassy. At times, he had a look of bewilderment in his eyes. Then at other times, it looked like he was exasperated, or in a state of disbelief.

Poetically⎯

His performance mirrored what I saw in his eyes until I noticed something different with 4:01 to go. He looked like he thought they could win for the first time in this game.

Texas was down 23-17, but they were driving.

They had a chance.

They had a real chance.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH TEXAS VS. OHIO STATE

By all rights, Manning didn’t play well enough to win 24-23.

But his team won.

It was one of those bizarre games where a couple of unlucky things happened to Texas, and they also received a couple of lucky bounces that went their way.

The look on Manning’s face after Texas went ahead with the extra point, 24-23, said it all with 25 seconds to play.

The run game carried Texas

Team rushing total: 41 rushing attempts for 141 yards (ESPN)

That helped Manning a lot.

When all else failed, Manning could hand the ball off. He had to do that and revert to doing that regularly. It’s the only thing that seemed to be working for most of the game.

The first half was rough.

How bad was it?

Toward the end of the second quarter (1:41), Fox Sports put up a graphic showing Manning was 4-of-9 for 31 yards and an interception.

Manning was out of sorts.

Ouch.

Play of the game

Then came one of those defining moments. It was still 23-3 Ohio State, just like it was at the half. With 2:21 left in the third quarter, on 4th down and 9, Manning came through when Texas had to have it.

He rolled right and threw back against his body to the left.

It was caught.

First down.

Whew.

From there…

Momentum shifted to the Longhorns.

Manning made another clutch throw, this time on 4th and 6 in the 4th quarter.

And Manning and Texas did just enough of the right things to win the game.

But this isn’t about that…

It’s about how Manning looked from an NFL perspective.

NFL positives

Led offense pre-snap with a methodical and consistent pace

Showed toughness

Poised

Kept eyes downfield

Held defenders with his eyes two times (not as often as he did against Texas State the week prior)

Used his lower body more often when throwing (equally distributed follow-through)

Didn’t give up

NFL negatives

Conservative

Mostly operated out of shotgun formation

Clapping cadence

Threw some wobbly passes

Looked uncomfortable throwing beyond his first read

Time to throw slowed down per Pro Football Focus (vs. Texas State 2.88 seconds and vs. Ohio State 3.58 seconds)

Tended to hard-lock with his targets for an extra noticeable moment before throwing

Trouble reading coverage

One pass breakup (PBU)

Takeaway

I’m concerned.

A lot of people will glaze over everything, credit him with the comeback, and move on.

Not me.

This game gave me “Manning PTSD” (post-traumatic stress disorder) that I had from his 2025 game film evaluation.

His time to throw in this game represents his slowest time to throw in his college career in games when he had at least one dropback.

He did not look comfortable in the pocket.

He didn’t look natural playing the position.

The football gods smiled upon him and his team, but I’m not smiling as an NFL Draft evaluator. Playing No. 1 Ohio State is about the closest thing Manning can get to an “NFL audition.”

Daniel Kelly is a former NFL Scout with the New York Jets. He was hired on the regime which featured Bill Parcells, Bill Belichick, Scott Pioli, Mike Tannenbaum, and Dick Haley. He is currently the Editor-in-Chief for First Round Mock, and has written for Sports Illustrated (Lions, Jets, and 49ers), NFL Draft Diamonds, and Yardbarker, as well as appearing as a guest on ESPN Radio, Fox Sports Radio, and Fearless with Jason Whitlock. Featured in USA Today. For more information, visit whateverittakesbook.com. Follow on Twitter @firstroundmock.