USDA- Volume 4, September 2026

ARCH MANNING: TEXAS TAKES THE TOP SPOT

Texas has officially climbed to the top of the USDA rankings, and much of the spotlight belongs to quarterback Arch Manning. The Longhorns made a major statement against Ohio State, showing they have the talent and toughness to compete with the very best in the country. It was the kind of matchup that can define a season—and Texas came away looking like a legitimate national championship contender.

For Manning, the OSU game was another opportunity to prove he belongs among college football’s elite. With the pressure of playing for one of the sport’s biggest programs, every game carries enormous expectations. Manning’s ability to lead Texas against a powerhouse like Ohio State only adds to the hype surrounding his season and his growing status as the face of the Longhorns.

Now comes the real challenge: staying on top in the SEC, where there is no shortage of powerhouse programs waiting to knock Texas off its perch. The Longhorns have the talent to make a championship run, but they’ll have to survive a brutal conference schedule to get there. If Manning can continue to deliver when the pressure is highest, Texas has a real chance to finish the season as the USDA national champion.

Texas is No. 1. Arch Manning is the face. Now the Longhorns have to prove they belong at the top.