Analyst says Manning, Texas have ‘no excuse’ not to win national title

Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Analyst says Arch Manning, Texas have ‘no excuse’ not to win national title

By Matt Wadleigh | Last updated Aug 28, 2026 12:36 PM ET

There are going to be a lot of eyeballs on the Texas Longhorns football team this season.

Quarterback Arch Manning is expected to be a Heisman Trophy contender, and he is also in the discussion to be the top pick in the 2027 NFL Draft.

With that, the expectations are high for Steve Sarkisian's team.

On Friday during an episode of ESPN's "First Take," analyst Jordan Reid said that Texas has "no excuse not to win a national title this year." A big reason why is because of Manning.

"Arch Manning, Steve Sarkisian, and Texas, they have no excuse not to win a national title this year in my opinion," Reid said.

"He also just has to go out there and do it," he added about Manning.

"They have no excuse not to win a national title this year." @Jordan_Reid has high expectations for Arch Manning and Texas football this year pic.twitter.com/kwhf5bDHhp
— First Take (@FirstTake) August 28, 2026

Can Arch Manning, Texas win a national championship this season?

The Texas offense has some new faces, including Auburn transfer wide receiver Cam Coleman and Arizona State transfer running back Raleek Brown.

ESPN's Kyle Bonagura predicted Texas to make the College Football Playoff semifinal, and Mark Schlabach had Texas as the No. 5 seed, but losing to No. 4 Oregon in the quarterfinal round.

Sure, Texas has a tough path with a loaded SEC, but Manning and Sarkisian have all of the pieces needed to finally make a run at a national title.

Matt Wadleigh

Matt Wadleigh is based in California and born and raised in the San Diego area. He studied print journalism at Fresno State for college and got to watch Paul George, Derek Carr and Davante Adams play in a Bulldogs uniform. His work has been featured at ClutchPoints, Sportscasting, Sporting News, and various USA Today sites, including UCLA Wire, where he was the first managing editor

More must-reads: