Texas MUST Beat Ohio State? Arch Manning, Sark & The Season-Defining Test

Jeff Howe and CJ Vogel break down why Texas’ early-season showdown with Ohio State could define the entire 2026 season for Steve Sarkisian, Arch Manning, and the Longhorns. The guys discuss SEC win totals, why Texas’ over/under sits at 9.5 wins, how much pressure is on Sark to beat one of college football’s elite coaches, and why a win over Ohio State could launch Texas toward a 10- or 11-win regular season. The conversation also dives into Arch Manning’s growth from a shaky first half of last season to one of the SEC’s best quarterbacks down the stretch, what Texas should expect from Texas State in Week 1, and why Will Muschamp’s defense will be tested early. Plus, Jeff and CJ debate the offensive line’s physicality, whether Texas has the right pieces up front, the importance of building a reliable run game, and what Tom Herman’s move to Florida State says about his coaching career arc. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.