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Arch Manning’s first start as QB1 for No. 1 Texas against No. 3 Ohio State has some surprising fans in his corner – former coaches from the Longhorns’ biggest rivals.
Barry Switzer, the legendary Oklahoma coach who won three national titles with the Sooners from 1973-88, admitted he’s actually pulling for Texas. In a text to Arch’s grandfather, NFL Hall of Famer Archie Manning, Switzer couldn’t believe his own change of heart.
“Archie, I never thought there would be a day coming that I would be pulling for the University of Texas!” Switzer wrote.
This will be the only time that an old Aggie coach and an old Sooner coach will root for @TexasFootball @OU_Football @AggieFootball pic.twitter.com/KpnM0wpQan
— Barry Switzer (@Barry_Switzer) August 28, 2025
He’s not alone. Former Texas A&M coach R.C. Slocum, who led the Aggies from 1989-2002, also sent well-wishes to the Manning family. Switzer shared screenshots of his conversation with Archie, who wrote, “R.C. texted me! So we got an Aggie and a Sooner pulling for ‘Horns. I am honored to have great friends.”
This is wild stuff for college football diehards.
Switzer, who went 9-5-2 against the Longhorns in the Red River Rivalry, was notorious for his hatred of Texas. Slocum split his matchups with Texas, going 7-7 during his A&M tenure. Now they’re both setting aside decades of rivalry for the Manning family connection.
Even Bob Stoops — who led Oklahoma to a national title during his 1999-2016 run — has a soft spot for the young QB, despite picking against the Longhorns in this matchup.
“I gotta go with Ohio State,” Stoops said in a video posted to his YouTube channel. “But I’ll tell you what, Texas is going to be good. And I’m a believer in — I don’t know how to do this being from Oklahoma — but just because of Arch Manning, what he has to live up to, I want to see the guy do well. That’s just my heart.”
Manning showed flashes of brilliance in limited action last season while filling in for an injured Quinn Ewers. The redshirt sophomore completed 68.3% of his passes (41-of-60) for 583 yards with four TDs and two picks. He also added a rushing touchdown and 29 yards on the ground.
The Manning Legacy
The spotlight on Arch isn’t just about his talent — it’s about his name. As the nephew of NFL legends Peyton and Eli Manning, he carries expectations that few college QBs have ever faced. His debut as a full-time starter comes with more scrutiny than most players will see in their entire careers.
Texas-Ohio State isn’t just a top-3 showdown to open the season; it’s a national showcase for a quarterback that many believe could be the next great Manning. The five-star prospect will face a hostile environment in Columbus with historic rivals and family friends all watching closely.
For one Saturday at least, the Manning name has accomplished something that seemed impossible — getting Sooner and Aggie coaching legends to cheer for the Texas Longhorns.
