Arch Manning sends clear message to Ohio State: 'We got the red dot on everyone'

Jeff Hauser

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Arch Manning sends clear message to Ohio State: 'We got the red dot on everyone' image

Arch Manning’s moment has arrived.

As No. 1 Texas travels to Columbus to face No. 3 Ohio State in a season-opening showdown, the spotlight burns bright on the Longhorns’ new starting quarterback.

For Manning, this game represents his first start on the road and his first against a ranked opponent. It's also a chance to prove himself on one of college football’s greatest stages.

Head coach Steve Sarkisian has worked to keep the buildup from overwhelming his young quarterback. His message to Manning has been consistent over time.

"We’re not asking any superhuman efforts of you to do anything extraordinary,” Sarkisian said. “What you’ve done is good enough to get us to this point. Now go play the way you’re capable of playing.”

Manning insists he feels no added pressure. "This is what I've been waiting for," he said Monday. "I spent two years not playing, so I might as well go have some fun."

Manning has shown flashes of brilliance during his time in Austin. He accounted for 939 passing yards, nine touchdowns and just two interceptions in limited action last year, including a breakout performance against UTSA where he threw four touchdowns and broke free for a 67-yard score. Those moments are why Texas feels confident handing him the keys now.

"We're going for everyone else," Manning added. "Target's not on our back, but we got the red dot on everyone else."

The stakes couldn’t be higher for Texas. The matchup marks just the second time since 1950 that two top-three teams have opened a season against each other. It’s also a rematch of last year’s playoff semifinal, when Ohio State beat Texas 28-14 in the Cotton Bowl. However. both rosters look different now. A total of 32 players from that game moved on to the NFL.

Texas travels to Columbus on Saturday for the Big Noon affair with OSU on FOX. 

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Jeff Hauser

Jeff Hauser is a freelance writer with The Sporting News. He has over twenty years of experience and is a two-time Emmy Award winner, Heisman Trophy and Biletnikoff Award voter. Among the events he has covered are the Super Bowl, College Football Playoff, World Series, World Cup, and WBC Boxing. Hauser is a regular guest on FOX Sports and ESPN Radio. He previously wrote for Sports Illustrated, SB Nation and Athlon Sports.