“Most of my advice is more football stuff. He’ll have to figure out that media on his own and a lot of it is just kind of growing pains. You feel like [the media’s] your pal, you relax with them a little bit, you try to be funny, and then they can take it and run,” Eli Manning admitted, via Front Office Sports.

“You’ve got to be careful, you’ve got to find your moments when you can be funny and relaxed. There’s certain things that you’ve got to learn and deal with it. I think he has learned and apologized, and did the right steps handling that.“

Arch Manning may be one of the biggest household names in college football and has been in the national spotlight for some time, but he is still a young player discovering the lay of the land. Going through the trials and tribulations of a college experience that not many NCAA athletes can relate to, Arch is not alone, though.

Arch has helping hands all around him

At times, it might sound as if he’s being scolded, but in truth, it shows he has people around him who care. That’s the case with Eli’s latest message, as well as the support he always gets from his father Cooper, uncle Peyton and grandfather Archie.

Even Steve Sarkisian’s recent ultimatum for Manning ahead of Texas vs. Tennessee is a sign that the Longhorns’ program is looking after what’s best for their quarterback. When it’s all put together, it’s encouraging, and it may reveal that Arch is destined for great things in college football and perhaps at the next level, too.

Arch Manning changed entirely after controversy

Following a lackluster performance during Texas’ 30-6 win over UTSA, Manning attended a press conference on Monday. It was his first face-to-face, lengthy meeting with the media after his comment about an AI-generated video raised eyebrows and led to a blown-out-of-proportion witch hunt against the heir to football’s royal quarterback family.

Once bitten, twice shy, Manning turned three times shy. He looked like a completely different personality, turning away from the funny remarks he’d made on another occasion. His short, straight-out-of-a-cassette answers made waves all over social media, as many fans and reporters lamented that Arch’s personality appeared to be censored.

From now on, it seems Manning will only say as little as possible to string together an answer out of respect for reporters’ questions, but will give away nothing more.

Manning’s press conference stats

According to CBS Austin’s Bob Ballou, Manning answered a total of 19 questions with just 56 seconds of answers during his Monday press conference. That’s less than a three-second average answer.

To say Manning has become laconic would be an understatement. And all for a comment—that was clearly intended as a joke but was read too much into—from a 22-year-old who had a laugh out of an AI-generated, absurd video.

Key takeaways

• Eli Manning advised his nephew to be careful, noting media can take comments and run.
• A public comment regarding an AI-generated video resulted in widespread media controversy and an apology.
• During a recent press conference, Arch Manning answered 19 questions in just 56 seconds.

“I would like for [Manning] to be smarter when he runs,” Sarkisian said during his press conference, via On Texas Football reporter CJ Vogel. Sarkisian still had a lot of praise of what Manning can do on the ground, and it may be a big factor against No. 14 Tennessee on Saturday at Neyland Stadium.

“[Arch Manning] doesn’t play the position like a robot, he uses his legs to his advantage, but he doesn’t use his legs all of the time. Using those at opportune times is beneficial for him and for us,” Sarkisian said.

Following the statement win over Ohio State, expectations were high for Manning and Texas against UTSA at home. However, the Longhorns’ quarterback and the rest of the offense looked a step off their A-game. The Horns had no turnovers, but came awfully close several times. Manning finished the night with a 30.7 QB Rating, but perhaps the lowlight of the game was a play in which he scrambled for a first down on a third-and-one situation.

Close call for Manning

After picking up the first down, Manning showed no regard for his health and ran right into trouble, where he was sandwiched by two defenders. His helmet popped up and off his head, putting him in a very compromising position. Most likely, that was the play in Sarkisian’s mind when he ordered Arch to be smart with his legs.

Against the Roadrunners, the heir to football’s royal quarterback family got away with his misjudged decision. Against Tennessee, another SEC opponent, or a powerhouse across college football, he may not enjoy similar luck, and that’s the last thing Sarkisian and the Longhorns need in 2026.

The Volunteers are second among SEC programs in sacks made this season (13, only behind LSU’s 14). With the Vols getting to opposing quarterbacks as often and efficiently as they do, Manning can’t take any more unnecessary hits, especially not in the open field.

Arch Manning in Knoxville

Although it’s become routine for Manning, the national spotlight will be fixed upon him on Saturday in Knoxville. Arch will play at Neyland Stadium, where his uncle Peyton Manning became a legend, for the first time in his college football career. Ahead of such a special, hair-standing, nerves-wracking game, Sarkisian had some great piece of advice for his talented signal-caller.

“I think that it’s important for him to not try to be something that doesn’t best suit him. I want him to be him, to be Arch Manning. I don’t want him to be Archie, Peyton, or Eli. I don’t want him to be Colt McCoy or Vince Young. I want him to be Arch Manning, and Arch Manning is plenty good enough for us to put us in a position to win.”

Such a statement from his head coach would be extremely useful and reassuring on any given week in the NCAA schedule. However, it bears extra weight and meaning as Arch comes off a lackluster showing against an inferior opponent and must turn the page entirely before entering a hostile environment in Knoxville, a city forever intertwined with his family’s legacy but that will show no love to Peyton’s nephew on Saturday.

As the saying in George R. R. Martin’s best-selling series, A Game of Thrones, goes, “There must always be a Stark in Winterfell,” the same could be said about a Manning in Knoxville. However, Arch chose to play for a different UT in college football, and his path has only crossed with the Vols in 2026, three years after he enrolled at Texas and became a Longhorn. There will be a Manning in Knoxville, but in the body of an unwelcome guest.

Key takeaways

• Steve Sarkisian urged his quarterback to be smarter when running.
• The Volunteers currently rank second among SEC programs with 13 recorded sacks.
• Texas faces Tennessee at Neyland Stadium following a victory over UTSA.

“I’m disappointed in how I played and how we played. Got to be better,” Manning stated during his press conference once the game concluded. It is clear that the quarterback’s high standards for himself do not allow him to have any dips in his performance.

A winning team needs players with a winning mentality. The Longhorns have that type of leader in Manning, who is looking to take his game to the highest level in pursuit of great things in the NCAAF.

Why was Manning not satisfied?

Arch Manning went 16-of-32 for 161 yards, two touchdown passes to Isaiah Coleman, and an interception in Texas’ 30-6 win over UTSA. Despite getting the W and throwing those early TDs, Arch wasn’t too thrilled with how things played out.

He struggled to build rhythm while under constant pressure, took a beating behind a shaky offensive line, and missed a bunch of throws that kept the Longhorns from pulling away earlier. Between the continuous scrambles, heavy hits, and a sub-50% completion rate, it definitely felt like a frustrating and sloppy outing for him.

Sarkisian prepares for what’s ahead

While the Longhorns have started their season undefeated, it is clear that the competition is very even and they cannot afford to let their guard down. Steve Sarkisian, the mastermind behind this team, made that clear to the media following the win over UTSA.

“Anybody can beat anybody in the SEC. We’ve learned that, so we’ve got to get ourselves ready to go in all three phases come next Saturday,” the head coach stated.

What’s next for Texas?

The Longhorns are heading into a brutal three-game stretch. It all kicks off this Saturday, September 26th, with a road test against Tennessee at Neyland Stadium—a hostile environment to see what this team is made of away from home.

After a well-timed bye week to tweak the offense, they gear up for the main event on October 10th: the Red River Rivalry against Oklahoma at the Cotton Bowl, that neutral-site classic that always turns into a total pressure cooker. To cap off the run, Texas returns to Austin on October 17th to host Florida for what should be another high-intensity SEC clash.

“How about this quarterback?” Swinney said during his postgame conference. “He was pretty bad in the first half and with a couple of things in the second. I mean, what a competitor. You saw a kid grow up tonight. He’s going to be a problem for a long time. And he ain’t going to do nothing but get better.”

Clemson bounced back from a tough start to the 2026 College Football season and improved its record to 2-1. Judging by Swinney’s comments, the team appears to be in good hands with Reynolds as its signal-caller.

An important comeback for Clemson

Clemson pulled off a gutsy 28-20 comeback victory over North Carolina after storming back from a 14-point deficit in a wild game that featured a massive two-and-a-half-hour fourth-quarter weather delay. Making his very first career start, Tait Reynolds showed incredible poise by settling in down the stretch, finishing his day 20-of-29 passing for 215 yards, one touchdown—a 27-yard strike to Christian Bentancur—and one interception.

While the offense sputtered early on, Reynolds managed the game like a veteran after the storm cleared, helping fuel two late unanswered touchdown drives to secure his first win as a starter and give the Tigers a huge boost to open up ACC play 1-0.

What’s next for the Tigers?

Following that wild victory against UNC, the Clemson Tigers face a fascinating three-game stretch starting in Week 4. First up, they hit the road for a Friday night matchup at California, followed by a massive ACC rivalry clash back at home against Miami in Week 5.

After a Week 6 bye to regroup, they return to Memorial Stadium in Week 7 to host Charleston Southern. It’s a great mix of a long-distance road trip, a high-stakes conference battle, and a favorable non-conference tune-up.

The game was originally scheduled to kick off at 3:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, but the lightning threat pushed the start time back. Both teams had already completed much of their pregame preparation when the weather delay was announced.

The delay comes with plenty of anticipation surrounding the matchup. Alabama entered the game ranked No. 10, while Florida State is looking to pull off another notable result against the Crimson Tide after defeating Alabama last season.

Alabama vs Florida State is delayed

The Alabama-Florida State game is delayed because of lightning in the area around Bryant-Denny Stadium. Under weather safety protocols, teams cannot take the field while lightning poses a threat nearby, forcing players and coaches to remain inside until conditions improve.

Rain has also moved through the Tuscaloosa area, but lightning is the primary reason for the delay. Officials must continue monitoring the weather before allowing the teams to return to the field and begin the game.

The weather delay has created an uncertain afternoon for both teams, with fans also waiting for the latest update on when the highly anticipated matchup will finally get underway.

What’s the new Alabama vs Florida State kickoff time?

The new kickoff time for Alabama vs. Florida State is 5:15 p.m. ET. Both teams needed additional time to wait out the lightning threat and allow officials to prioritize safety before the game begins. The original kickoff was set for 3:30 p.m. ET.

For now, fans should continue monitoring the latest weather updates, as additional lightning could potentially affect the revised schedule. The game remains one of the biggest matchups of Week 3, and both teams will be waiting to finally get underway.

Bill Belichick and North Carolina entered the weather delay holding a 17-15 lead over Clemson, with the Tar Heels driving into the red zone. The latest game status shows 8:24 remaining in the fourth quarter, meaning there is still plenty of football to be played once conditions allow the teams to return to the field.

The delay is particularly significant because Clemson had fought its way back into the game after North Carolina built an early advantage. The Tigers have scored 12 unanswered points since halftime, turning what looked like a comfortable Tar Heels lead into a two-point game heading into the final stretch.

Why was UNC vs. Clemson suspended?

The game was suspended because of lightning in the area, forcing officials to take the players off the field while the weather threat passes. College football games are routinely delayed when lightning is detected nearby because player and spectator safety takes priority over keeping the game on schedule.

North Carolina is in a particularly interesting position when play resumes. The Tar Heels are leading 17-15 and have possession deep inside Clemson territory, giving Bill Belichick’s team an opportunity to potentially extend its advantage late in the fourth quarter.

Clemson, meanwhile, will need its defense to hold after clawing back into the game. The Tigers have already erased much of the deficit, and a stop in the red zone could give them a chance to complete the comeback once the weather clears.

The suspension means both teams now have to wait before determining the outcome of one of the most important games of Week 3. North Carolina entered the matchup 2-0, while Clemson was 1-1, making the ACC contest particularly significant for both programs.

For now, the focus is on the weather. Once officials determine that conditions are safe, North Carolina and Clemson will return to the field with the Tar Heels holding a narrow 17-15 advantage and an opportunity to finish the game with a major road victory.

However, good news for LSU! The team completely removed him from the SEC availability report on Friday night, clearing Levitt to start against Ole Miss. Anyway, the starting and backup quarterbacks of LSU vs Ole Miss will have to step up, especially if Leavitt suffers a setback midgame.

This all means Leavitt is ready to roll. During the first two games of the season, Sam Leavitt’s numbers are a bit up-and-down. The talent is there but he needs to be consistent if LSU wants to beat Ole Miss.

Sam Leavitt’s stats in first two games of 2026 NCAAF season

Sam Leavitt’s 2026 season stats for the LSU Tigers include 574 passing yards, two touchdowns, and four interceptions across two games. It’s been a season of peaks and valleys for the former Arizona State QB.

Still, LSU is 2-0 and Leavitt has also made his mark as a dual-threat QB. In these first two games, Leavitt has 23 carries for 135 yards and five rushing touchdowns as well.

Leavitt’s pros and cons

Among Leavitt’s strengths, you can find skills like elite mobility and speed, a loose, effortless throwing motion and big arm talent, as well as toughness and grit. Leavitt can also extend plays outside the pocket.

However, he is not a perfect QB by any means. Leavitt struggles playing within structure, he is not consistent with his timing and anticipation. He lacks processing speed and has some injury history with right foot/Lisfranc surgery.

Trinidad Chambliss is the starting quarterback for Ole Miss. If something rendered Chambliss unable to play, the primary backup quarterback for the Rebels is sophomore transfer Deuce Knight.

Meanwhile, there are questions on whether Sam Leavitt is playing for LSU vs Ole Miss. Hence, Landen Clark and Husan Longstreet serving as the backup options for the Tigers.

The storyline beyond the quarterbacks

More than the quarterbacks, this game marks the return of head coach Lane Kiffin to Mississippi. The head coach left Ole Miss for LSU just before the Rebels’ playoff run last season, so he is not welcomed whatsoever. The atmosphere will be very hostile.

Now under Pete Golding, Ole Miss will look for revenge against the coach that left them hanging at a time of huge relevance. Meanwhile, there is no way the infamous coach Kiffin wants to lose against Ole Miss. It’s a barnburner of a game at all levels.

How did Ole Miss and LSU start the season?

Both Ole Miss and LSU started the 2026 college football season with 2-0 records. For Ole Miss, they survived a high-scoring 41-38 shootout against Louisville in Nashville thanks to Trinidad Chambliss. Then, they destroyed Charlotte 41-9.

As for LSU, they made a statement against Clemson beating them 51-10 and then crushed Louisiana Tech 41-9. Hence, LSU comes with a better momentum riding high on good offense and good defense. Meanwhile, Ole Miss is at home and with vengeance on their sight.

The players who made their way to Baton Rouge are Princewill Umanmielen, TJ Dottery, Winston Watkins Jr., and Devin Harper. Kiffin knows all four players firsthand, highlighting the level of familiarity and trust he has in them as he looks to further strengthen an LSU team competing in the SEC.

The Tigers back Lane Kiffin in what could be a hostile environment in Oxford. LSU started the season 2-0 and will look to continue its winning streak in a key matchup against the Rebels.

A familiar coaching staff for Kiffin

Kiffin’s arrival at LSU caught the attention of both those within the program and outsiders alike, but he did not make the move alone. The experienced coach made sure to bring much of his staff with him, having worked alongside them for a long time in Mississippi.

• Charlie Weis Jr. – Offensive Coordinator
• Joe Cox – Co-Offensive Coordinator / Tight Ends
• George McDonald – Passing Game Coordinator / Wide Receivers
• Kevin Smith – Assistant Head Coach / Running Backs
• Dane Stevens – Quarterbacks
• Sawyer Jordan – Inside Wide Receivers
• Chris Kiffin – Co-Defensive Coordinator / Linebackers
• Lou Spanos – Pass Rush Specialist / Assistant Defensive Line

In addition to these eight on-field coaches, two senior support and operations leaders also transitioned with Kiffin to complete the core staff:

• Thaddeus Rivers – Senior Associate Athletic Director for Football Operations
• 10. Nick Savage – Head Strength and Conditioning Coach

LSU wants another title

LSU is hungry to get back to the top of the college football world, and bringing in Lane Kiffin is exactly the high-octane shake-up Tigers fans have been waiting for. With Death Valley eager for another trophy, the goal is crystal clear: break the drought and bring a National Championship back to Baton Rouge for the first time since their legendary 2019 season.

With Kiffin calling the shots and running his signature explosive offense, LSU is ready to turn up the noise, make a serious playoff push, and prove they’re back in full force.

The situation for both players escalated further following a statement released by the NFL on its official website, stating that they are ineligible to join any NFL team this season after attempting to return to college and play for LSU. Their attempt to reunite with Kiffin, however, did not go as planned.

Zxavian Harris signed with the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent, while Dae’Quan Wright had done the same with the Cleveland Browns. At this point, their futures in the sport remain uncertain.

Why Kiffin moved on from these two players

There is no doubt that Kiffin played a major role in attempting to bring these two players back to college football. However, following LSU’s season-opening win over the Clemson Tigers, the head coach told the media that the final decision was made with “the big picture of LSU and the LSU football program” in mind, given the “uncertainties of what could come by adding them to the roster.”

“My job is what I believe is right, and I believe we were fighting for what was right for those kids,” Kiffin also added. “I’m not going to get into all the reasons, but that’s what I believe.”

Who took Wright and Harris’ roster spots?

The demands of a College Football season require a deep and competitive roster capable of meeting the challenges ahead. The final two spots on the 105-man roster representing the Tigers this season went to cornerback Aidan Anding and defensive end Gabriel Reliford, two players with prior ties to the program who returned to LSU, according to insider Pete Thamel.

His controversial departure from the University of Mississippi sparked endless backlash, and to this day, many people still hold a grudge against the coach. Whit Weeks, one of the Tigers’ standout players, said Kiffin is fully prepared for a hostile reception at his former home.

“I haven’t really thought about that,” Weeks said during his press conference. “But, I mean, I know he’s going to get it. I know they don’t like him up there. But he’s prepared for that. I mean, it is what it is. He’s done it before in his career. I know he’s more prepared than anybody.”

It won’t be long before Vaught-Hemingway Stadium at Hollingsworth Field is rocking, with the home crowd sure to make its presence felt. Will the Rebels be able to take advantage of that, or will everything off the field take a back seat once the football starts flying?

Kiffin doesn’t appear to be welcome in Oxford anymore

Lane Kiffin’s fall from grace at Ole Miss stems from a departure that local fans view as the ultimate betrayal: abandoning the program on the cusp of the College Football Playoff to accept the head coaching position at LSU, a direct SEC rival.

After spending years building the Rebels into a legitimate national powerhouse and gaining the unwavering trust of Oxford, Kiffin exited at the absolute peak of the team’s postseason push. For many, this move was not well received.

Leaving a playoff-bound roster to sign with a division rival for greater prestige and money shattered his legacy with the fan base, instantly transforming him from a revered architect into persona non grata in Mississippi.