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"Arch Manning hasn't done a thing yet." That was Urban Meyer's blunt assessment of college football's most-talked-about quarterback during a recent appearance on "The Joel Klatt Show." While the Texas redshirt sophomore has only appeared in 12 games with two starts in his collegiate career, his last name and recruiting pedigree continue to generate massive expectations — including being the favorite to win the Heisman in 2025 and to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. But Meyer wants to see Manning play at an elite level before falling for "Arch Mania." In fact, the former Ohio State head coach believes Manning should be managed conservatively by Texas coach Steve Sarkisian in Saturday’s game against No. 3 Ohio State (noon ET on FOX and the FOX Sports app). "I’m hearing the word Heisman. I’m hearing the words national champion and first pick overall," Meyer said. "I went back and watched [him] recently. He’s a good player. He's a really good player. But get a couple of first downs." With Manning now entrenched as Texas’ starting quarterback, the Longhorns enter the season as the betting favorite to win the national championship. However, Meyer pointed to their "good defense" as a reason to keep things simple for Manning in Saturday’s game. "I'd be shocked if you saw something wild with these two teams early in the game," Meyer said. "I'd be very restrictive as far as throwing that ball between the hash marks. Your heart starts [beating fast]. It’s like that point guard that gets all excited. You know what happens? The ball is bouncing off the back of the rim. Why? Because he’s excited." As Meyer alluded to there, he would also ask Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin to play a conservative style if he were still the Buckeyes' head coach. With Sayin making his first career start on Saturday, Meyer said that the sophomore quarterback is his biggest concern for the Buckeyes. "Julian Sayin is going to be the biggest question mark," Meyer said. "Offensive line, they lost four starters, but I’m hearing this is the best depth they’ve had and they feel really good about the O-line. The tight end, [Max Klare], the transfer from Purdue, is an excellent player. Very athletic, which you saw. Then, Carnell Tate and Brandon Inniss at the other receiver spots to complement Jeremiah [Smith]. "So, the long-winded answer is: I don't think there's much of a drop-off early in the year. I don't see him scoring a ton of points early. I see them hanging in there and playing, especially in this one [against Texas]. … I see this being kind of a low-scoring game, winning with defense, until that offense gets cooking." Like Manning, Sayin was also a highly-rated recruit. He was the third-rated quarterback in the Class of 2024 (via 247Sports), originally committing to Alabama before transferring to Ohio State after Nick Saban’s retirement. Sayin edged out redshirt sophomore Lincoln Kienholz to be named the starting quarterback, with Ryan Day not officially naming a starter until this past week. With Sayin and Kienholz entrenched in the quarterback battle throughout spring and fall camp, Joel Klatt said that he heard from people around the Ohio State program that it reminded them of the quarterback battle between Dwayne Haskins and Joe Burrow in 2018. "They're saying that this is similar, where it's Julian's ability to throw the football that just brings the ceiling so much higher, in particular with the weapons on the outside, like Smith and Tate," Klatt said." But Kienholz made it tough just because of his grittiness, his athleticism — maybe not in direct comparison to the style of Burrow — but this idea that there's this gritty competitor there that just made it tough on them to name a starter." Even though Ohio State is dealing with inexperience at quarterback and has to replace 14 players who went to the NFL from its national championship-winning team, the Buckeyes arguably have the most talented roster in the nation. Smith and safety Caleb Downs are widely viewed as the best players on their respective sides of the ball, while Ohio State ranks third in 247Sports’ team talent composite rating. "I hate to say it like this, because you never want your quarterback to play like this, but he can't screw it up," Meyer said of Sayin. "They got excellent coaches. Ryan’s an expert quarterbacks coach. You give him so many easy throws. You don’t need to win this game, Julian. You do not have to do that. You have enough cats around you. "You’re going to see a bunch of screens, I would imagine, to Jeremiah and the crew. You're going to see a strong run game. You're going to see easy throws. I would always tell these young quarterbacks, give us two first downs and your job is accomplished. That's all you got to do." Full story: https://www.foxsports.com/stories/college-football/arch-manning-hasnt-done-thing-yet-urban-meyer-eyes-low-scoring-texas-osu-game

If Golden had spent more time as a Longhorn he would definitely be ranked higher. Loved both Metcalf and RJ too.

Yep Texas is long overdue for another national championship in football. A program like Texas should win one at least once every ten seasons and get to that game at least twice a decade if they have their spit together from the top down. That’s basically what Ohio State has done this century. Hoping to get at least one in the Manning era and go from there. At least the next natties Texas wins will be legit, so there’s that.

The B1G’s middle was better than the middle of the SEC as well last season, I think it’ll be again this season.

Chris Simms

Dude Wipes are awesome.

As a Texas fan, I would think you would understand Texas has one national championship in how many years, and struggled in the Big 12. Let’s not act like Texas is the SEC

Mods please ban OP

The subtle shots…I see ya

Christmas day is the best day. Food court me.... Now go watch WNBA and leave this discussion to the adults

Go watch a wnba game. This stuff is out of your element We sell 47k tickets every year old chap. I’m fairly certain you’re trolling.

I agree that the Big Ten has not had much success compared to the SEC and or head to head vs the SEC. OSU has won 3 Championships since 2000. We "OSU" have had the talent to be in the conversation and a NC title contender numerous times but many years we underperformed or were overhyped. The SEC currently has more depth of quality teams than the Big Ten. The Big Ten top 3-4 can compete and sometimes you get a surprise team that is pretty good. Maybe Illinois this year. I was not sold on Indiana last year and especially this year. I bleed Scarlet and Gray but appreciate watching good college football. Good luck Saturday in the shoe, but hoping you go home with an "L"

Eric Metcalf was a freak. As well as being an all around weapon on the football field, he was a 2 time NCAA long jump champion. I wish he would have been in an offense that could have better utilized his skills. He was a talent that was ahead of his time.

I gotta go Eric Metcalf. But that’s a great list of players that wore #2.

Join us for Coffee and Football this morning beginning at 8:15 AM. We’ll talk Texas and take your questions. And by “at” I mean “around”

Look at the Buckeye with the Texas obsession.

ROJO may not be the best player with that number, but he is certainly the most beloved here.

Roschon!

one of my favorites back in the day. Lubbock’s own Taje Allen. Played several years in the League and won a Super Bowl with the Rams. Also was Rod Weaver’s roommate for the Sugar Bowl, doh!

All fine choices. Gotta pick Rojo. Big piece in getting Texas back.

We are now just two days away from the Longhorns opening the season against the Buckeyes. Who is your favorite player to wear No. 2 for Texas? Options today include… Roschon Johnson Eric Metcalf Matthew Golden Jerry Gray

Definition of great product placement. A QB who shits the bed, repping Dude wipes. Get that minty fresh smell, when you stink it up on the field.

Arch is ready. Just need the rest of the offense to show up as well. Looking mainly at O line.

How can he not? He remembers 70-3. He knows what good Texas looks like first hand.

This is second-year Sayin's first start, and it's against one of the top (if not THE top) defenses in college football with elite pass rushers and defenders everywhere. The buckeyes will have to try to run the ball because their passing game could get very ugly. I expect at least two Sayin turnovers. Arch has an extra year of tutelage in Sark's system and about three games of live experience which is very significant by comparison. That will be the difference in the game.