“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.

“To me, it’s like high school homecoming for [Lane Kiffin and LSU]. Like, if you focus on the wrong s—, that homecoming dance ain’t very fun after you get your b— beat on a Friday night,” Golding said in the build-up to Saturday’s Magnolia Bowl, via FOX News. Golding’s message may also serve as a warning to his own squad. There will be a lot of distractions around campus with the national spotlight in attendance, and it’ll be a double-edged sword.

A reunion game doesn’t do this matchup justice. When the Rebels host Kiffin and the Fighting Tigers on Saturday, it will be a revenge game. Make no mistake about that. There may be no game with more hostility on the entire 2026 college football schedule. Not even “The Game” or “Iron Bowl” may come close, at least not this season in the NCAA. This one simply means more.

There is an open wound in Oxford, MS, and only one way to heal it. College football has become filled with ironies, and the fact that this game will be played in The Hospitality State may be one of the best. Walking into Vaught-Hemingway Stadium, Kiffin and the Tigers (especially those who have Rebels backgrounds on their résumés) will learn better than to judge a state by its nickname.

Kiffin pokes the bear

Every college football fan across the country is entitled to their own opinion. Still, say what you want about Lane Kiffin, he sure has taken the villain role to the next level. Just three weeks into the 2026 NCAA season, he’s put on an act for the ages, and his LSU team is undefeated and ranked No. 7 in the country, so that’s that, too. Before touching down in the Magnolia State, Kiffin made sure to get the fanbase in Oxford even angrier at him.

“I told the players, man, you don’t have anything to worry about as far like attention on you all week,” Kiffin stated, per FOX News. “There’s going to be so much attention, hatred, everything on me, you just get to go play.“

Kiffin isn’t wrong. He also likes having the spotlight on him, though. He’ll say it’s a mechanism to take it off his players and get them to play with some weight off their shoulders, but that’s where many may beg to differ. There are other ways to take the pressure off the players; Kiffin simply can’t—or doesn’t want to—go out of his old ways.

A game unlike any other

The stage is set for the game circled in red ever since Kiffin abruptly ended his tenure in Oxford and boarded a flight to Baton Rouge. Finally, the wait is over. Both teams will make their final tweaks to the game plan, and it will be kickoff time before everybody knows it. Only one will be left standing in a crucial SEC showdown.

The eyes of the entire country will be fixed on the game on Saturday night. They say in the SEC it means more, but this game is so vitriol-filled that the conference implications feel irrelevant. For Ole Miss, the taste of victory may be better than a national championship.

Kiffin and LSU may belittle the duel even in triumph, but deep down, they know it’s the biggest game of the year for them. If they can’t clear this hurdle, the writing will be on the wall. Golding said he and Kiffin are “definitely, still friends.” That friendship will be put to the ultimate test over the weekend. And a line might be drawn in the sand forever.

According to ESPN’s Taylor McGregor, new kickoff time has been set for 9:15 p.m. ET. However, because power hasn’t been restored entirely, the game will have many uncommon traits for NCAA football standards. Because it’s an ACC showdown with massive implications, it seems the show must go on, regardless.

“[ACC officials] believe they have enough light in order to play this game. But it’s going to get tricky, because not everything is back on,” McGregor reported. “The clock will come from the field, there will be no coach-to-player communication, no iPads. This is going to look very different, but they feel like they have enough so that they can play this game.”

At this point, it becomes worth considering if the Seminoles and Mustangs were better off calling the game off for the night and re-scheduling. However, that’s complex, as well. Florida State has a bye week and is at home so it really has no problem, but SMU will play on Saturday against UC Davis in Dallas.

Another long delay in college football

The Seminoles hosted the New Mexico State Aggies last week for a night game, and the lights worked just fine. However, with all eyes in college football set on the action at Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee, Florida, a power outage has led to a long delay.

After waiting around for a while for the power to be restored, both head coaches agreed to head back inside and wait—probably in the dark—for the lights to come back on. It sure rings a bell for fans across college football, as Lane Kiffin’s debut with LSU against Clemson was also delayed, though due to inclement weather.

Contrary to what happened in Tallahassee, Kiffin actually disclosed his role behind the weather delay ahead of LSU’s win over Clemson. In this case, neither head coach has anything to do with the issue.

Power outage at Doak Campbell Stadium

Contrary to weather delays, which are pretty common in college football, a delay due to a power outage brings much more uncertainty. There is no fixed timeline for the game to resume, and it can only be addressed once the issue is actually solved.

According to ESPN’s broadcast team in Tallahassee, the stadium’s staff has already discovered where the issue is coming from but hasn’t been able to solve it just yet. For the time being, the game is still on, even if it’s in depleted playing conditions.

Although fans appear to have no trouble waiting around in the humidity and darkness, it’s far from ideal. However, as soon as the lights come up and the game can start, it will all be a fading memory, and perhaps the butt of a joke. How many Florida State staff members does it take to change a light bulb?

Asked about the biggest controversy in Week 1 of the NCAA campaign, Michigan‘s last-second Hail Mary victory over Western Michigan in Ann Arbor, Sarkisian delivered a sincere, confused answer that only expressed concern about the Big Ten officiating crew responsible for adding one second to the clock and allowing the miraculous touchdown catch.

“I still don’t understand or get the final ruling of it all,” Sarkisian said about the controversial call, via On Texas Football. “Unfortunate for Western Michigan, to play their tails off the way that they did and to lose like that.

“I’ve lost a game on a Hail Mary before and that definitely sucks. I don’t know the exact ruling on the timing. There’s a lot of moving parts that I’m not going to pretend to know everything about. My biggest shock was that they stormed the field.”

Sarkisian’s comments mean more before Ohio State game

With the matchup against the Buckeyes looming on the immediate horizon, Sarkisian’s statement on the officiating crew carries much more weight. Hosting No. 1 Ohio State, there is a lot for No. 5 Texas to be anxious about.

Not only will the Longhorns be taking on whom Sarkisian considers to be the best wide receiver in college football in Jeremiah Smith, but they’ll also face a squad filled with five-star talents that defeated Texas and really made the Longhorns look bad last NCAA season.

In addition to it all, the game at DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium will be officiated by a Big Ten crew. That means Sarkisian’s comments on Michigan’s controversial win also hide a dig at those who will be responsible for Texas’ fate next Saturday. By all looks of it, it sure feels like Sarkisian and the burnt orange are keeping their guards up.

Why is Big Ten officiating Ohio State at Texas?

This was agreed upon by both schools when they committed to the home-and-home series for the 2025 and 2026 college football seasons. It’s a common practice across the country for the visiting team’s conference to provide the officiating crew, and this is no different. In fact, it was an SEC officiating crew that was in charge last year when the Buckeyes defeated the Longhorns 14-7 in Week 1.

In fact, the home team’s head coach was asked and didn’t give the green light for the game to resume earlier. As a result, college football fans had to wait longer, Clemson players were forced to stay idle in a hostile away locker room for hours, and it all helped the home team crush the visitors with a memorable scoreboard in NCAA football. It wasn’t luck; it had Kiffin’s hand all over it.

“That [away] locker room sucks over there. This is a real thing. Even when they said ‘Hey, you want to shorten the 90 minutes when we come back?’ I said ‘No, leave it all there. We’ll go out at midnight.’ If you haven’t figured out my competitiveness in order to win,” Kiffin said during his postgame press conference.

“If I’m going through all that other stuff for two players (Dae’Quan Wright and Zxavian Harris) nationally, if I think 90 minutes is going to help us win the game, I’m certainly going to sit in the locker room for 90 minutes.”

Kiffin still won’t mention Ole Miss

Months have passed since Kiffin’s chaotic, mid-playoff, headline-grabbing departure from the University of Mississippi to take the head coaching job at Louisiana State University. Still, neither side is letting go, and both are continuously going at each other’s throats.

During his first postgame media availability at LSU, Kiffin kept up a recent trend in which he steers away from naming his former school. Not Ole Miss, not the Rebels, nothing at all. They are now those who shall not be named by Kiffin.

“It’s great to be on this side. I’ve been over there [on the other end] a lot. Three times in the last place, two in Alabama,” Kiffin said on a question about being inside Tiger Stadium as part of the home team rather than a visitor. Kiffin stuttered before naming Ole Miss, but referenced his former school as “the last place”. “I’ve been over there when it’s been really intense, so I was glad to be on this side,” Kiffin concluded his statement.

What’s next for Kiffin’s LSU?

“Imagine if we had pro players,” Kiffin jokingly—and not so much—stated at halftime of his season opener with LSU. Fans across college football may not have to use their imagination for too long. Although neither Wright nor Harris was listed by the Tigers in Week 1, they could make the team in Week 2 and moving forward.

LSU’s schedule will give Kiffin and company no breaks, and they will need every helping hand they can muster, especially the two pairs of hands belonging to players who signed NFL contracts not too long ago. In Week 2, LSU will host Louisiana Tech, coming off an 80-6 win in Week 1, in Baton Rouge. It will provide the Tigers with a chance to iron out details and give their starters some rest late in the game. They will need it.

In Week 3, Kiffin will walk his new program into the lion’s den in Oxford, as the No. 9 Ole Miss Rebels have had their former head coach’s return game circled in red for a long time. In Week 4, the No. 11 LSU Tigers will host the No. 8 Texas A&M Aggies at Tiger Stadium.

The Tigers’ classic in Baton Rouge has only heated up on the eve of the Week 1 showdown between LSU and Clemson. Kiffin can thank his school’s interest in and landing of former NFL players for that, as Swinney didn’t mince words on the subject and even had a pointed dig for the former Ole Miss head coach.

“It’s kind of embarrassing, Honestly, it’s embarrassing that’s where we are. I don’t blame the kids, but people trying to take advantage of the system. It’s embarrassing but we’ve been there for a while. No pun intended but we’re just going to stay in our lane,” Swinney said about NFL players being back as school athletes, via ESPN’s David Hale, while making a play on Kiffin’s first name.

Sarkisian calls Kiffin, LSU’s strategy ‘morally wrong’

Swinney didn’t sugarcoat his thoughts on what Kiffin and the Tigers from Louisiana State have been up to ahead of the 2026 NCAA football campaign. Neither did Steve Sarkisian, whose Longhorns—like Swinney’s Tigers—will have to take on the LSU Tigers on the road this year.

Going into one of the toughest environments in the country, Texas knows it will have its hands full against LSU, which could also happen to start players who were on NFL rosters not too long ago. Asked about the controversy and whether the SEC made the right decision by announcing a rule banning former NFL players from playing college football, Sarkisian made a clear admission.

“These players on all of the rosters, not just ours, have been working for nine months for this moment. The fact that somebody out there is going to take a player off of an NFL roster and tell somebody who’s been doing it for nine months go kick rocks, that doesn’t sit well with me. I think that’s wrong, that’s morally wrong,” Sarkisian stated during a press conference ahead of Texas’ season opener. “So I think our presidents, athletic directors, and chancellors got it right. We will support it and fall in line.”

Why Texas’ NFL player Cole Hutson is different?

Sarkisian and the Longhorns also benefited from a courthouse ruling granting players an extra year of eligibility. Cole Hutson is returning to Texas for his fifth year of college football after going undrafted in the 2026 NFL Draft. Hutson attended the Cleveland Browns’ and Dallas Cowboys’ minicamps before returning to his alma mater in Austin.

The main differences between his case and that of Dae’Quan Wright, to name one of LSU’s former pro players, are that Hutson didn’t participate in an NFL training camp, didn’t sign an NFL contract, nor did he play in a preseason game. He’s also returning to his school of origin rather than transferring within the conference.

Wright checks all of those boxes, which makes his transfer to LSU from the NFL and Ole Miss one of the more controversial and candid topics in college football. And mixed in the middle of it all is none other than Kiffin.

Kiffin in the eye of the storm

Sarkisian didn’t even have to name Kiffin or LSU, yet everybody knew who he was talking about. Lane Kiffin has truly embraced the villain role ahead of the 2026 NCAA season, starting last season when he left the University of Mississippi ahead of the College Football Playoffs for a head-coaching job at Louisiana State University.

Many thought that was the peak of his public enemy No. 1 status in college sports, but Kiffin hasn’t lowered the bar one bit. Being the main bidder for NFL players returning to college was the last straw, however. Kiffin recently admitted that although he’s had his doubts about going down this path, he has no regrets because his team is behind him.

“I met with the leadership committee of our players and I asked them ‘what do you want to do?’ Every one of them was emphatic that if they can help us win, bring them. This is how the real world works,” Kiffin said per FOX’s Trey Wallace. “That made me feel a little better in the struggle and being torn back and forth.”

Why SEC may not be able to stop LSU

Although the Southeastern Conference announced a rule banning former NFL players from playing college football, the rule may prove futile against a state court’s latest ruling. A Louisiana state judge signed a temporary restraining order preventing the SEC from enforcing the new rule, which promises hefty sanctions and bans for players who previously signed professional contracts in the NFL, NBA or WNBA.

It’s become a trend in college football. The NCAA and conferences say one thing, a state court rules another, and they engage in a dramatic bottleneck, with the careers of young athletes at stake. That’s the case for Dae’Quan Wright and Zxavian Harris, who have committed to LSU after short stints in the NFL.

The players state that they only declared for the NFL Draft due to unclear rules at the time and would have stayed in college had they been guaranteed the chance to play in the 2026 season. That was only possible after a state court granted them, and many other players, an extra year of eligibility. Virtually no one blames the athletes, but it’s clear there aren’t many fans of LSU’s decision to go after Kiffin’s former players at Ole Miss, either.

“Anthony would play for us right now,” the head coach told reporters. “All the quarterbacks have done a nice job. Anthony, I think the biggest thing is he’s very competitive, very fiery. He expects to win every play. He does a nice job disciplining himself to also take what’s there and makes nice checks in the run/pass game, can throw the ball deep.“

Rhule highlighted an important aspect of Colandrea: “I think the biggest thing is he extends a ton of plays with his legs, which takes a lot of pressure off of the offensive line, the backs in protection and puts a lot of pressure on the defense.”

Only a few days remain until this team’s big debut. It will take place on September 5 at Memorial Stadium against the Ohio Bobcats.

A tough QB battle in Nebraska

Dylan Raiola’s departure to the Oregon Ducks left the starting quarterback position vacant at Nebraska, with three candidates initially competing for the job. After a thorough evaluation, Rhule ultimately chose Colandrea.

The former UNLV signal-caller beat out TJ Lateef, as well as Daniel Kaelin, who returned from Virginia. Now, both players will have to focus on earning a spot as the team’s primary backup.

Nebraska begins its journey in the 2026 season

In 2025, the Cornhuskers finished with a 7-6 record (4-5 in the Big Ten Conference), ending their season with a loss to the Utah Utes in the Las Vegas Bowl. Rhule, eager for redemption, will look to get the 2026 campaign off to a strong start from Week 1.

• Week 1, vs Ohio – September 5
• Week 2, vs Bowling Green – September 12
• Week 3, vs North Dakota – September 19
• Week 4, at Michigan State – September 26
• Week 5, vs Maryland – October 3

With roster cuts coming up and a new season rapidly approaching, the University of Mississippi alumnus is opting to return to school for one more year rather than compete for a place on the Browns’ roster.

As reported by CBS Sports, Wright is entering the NCAA transfer portal ahead of the 2026 college football season. As it stands, he is still employed by the Browns and remains an NFL player.

Regardless, Wright could very well return to college, which would mark the first time a professional player has ever returned to play at the collegiate level. Shocking, head-scratching, and unimaginable, this is where college sports stand in 2026. He may not be the last, though.

Historic change in NFL-college football

According to ESPN, Wright was one of 16 NFL players who filed a lawsuit to the NCAA seeking a fifth year of eligibility in college football. After much speculation, a court in Louisiana granted the plaintiff a fifth and last year of college eligibility. Thus, Wright opted to enter the transfer portal, and may soon be followed by others.

Players who could be headed back to college

In addition to Wright, the former Ole Miss standout and current Browns player, many more names in NFL training camps could be eyeing a return to the NCAA. Running back T.J. Harden of the Seattle Seahawks, an SMU alumnus, and EDGE Jack Pyburn of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, a former LSU Tiger, were among the players that filed the lawsuit. Thus, they might enter the portal, too.

Although NCAA rules and a Colorado judge’s ruling state that the extra year of eligibility isn’t granted to players who sign NFL deals, the temporary restraining order issued in the Bayou State could change everything and pave the way for Wright and others to return to college football.

“Texas star left tackle Trevor Goosby had an MRI on his left knee this morning, and he’s been diagnosed with a bone bruise. His timetable for return will come together in near future,” college football insider Pete Thamel reported on X.

Although Goosby is expected to be sidelined and may miss a game, the hope remains he can be back for Sept. 12, when the Longhorns host the Ohio State Buckeyes at Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Texas is well aware of just how crucial Goosby’s role is, and how his absence could affect Manning in the worst way.

Why Goosby is crucial to Manning’s performance

Not only is Goosby the best offensive lineman on campus, but he’s tasked with protecting Manning week in and week out. Playing left tackle and with Manning being right-handed, Goosby is in charge of the signal-caller’s blindside, which is where quarterbacks face the biggest threat from the pass rush.

It takes time to build that trust between a quarterback and his left tackle, allowing the passer to relax in the pocket knowing the offensive line has his back, especially on the side where he has his back turned.

With Goosby, it remains to be seen how long he will be out, with No. 5 Texas hoping he can be back for Week 2’s massive matchup against No. 1 Ohio State. If he misses more time, then his backup will have to step up to the role and protect Manning’s blindside.

Potential replacement for Goosby

If Goosby is unable to suit up for Week 1’s opener against the Texas State Bobcats in Austin, reports suggest Melvin Siani will get the nod at left tackle. Like Goosby, Siani is a redshirt junior who knows his way around college football.

However, Goosby has spent his entire college career with the University of Texas at Austin, whereas Siani is a Wake Forest transfer who previously spent two years at Temple.

“I promise it’s close. I vow to you it’s close,” Josh Pate stated on the Josh Pate’s College Football Show. “I would say the highest-profile quarterback battle in the country right now [is] happening at Alabama. It’s very much up in the air. There are shades of gray here. There is no definitive one way or the other.”

Maybe not to this extent, but an evenly matched quarterback battle was to be expected in Tuscaloosa. DeBoer and the Crimson Tide knew that ever since Ty Simpson declared for the 2026 NFL Draft. According to reports, Mack and Russell are neck and neck, and even DeBoer admitted he is far from reaching a definite answer.

DeBoer’s honest message on QB1 battle

“I don’t feel closer [to making a decision on the starting quarterback],” DeBoer said, via Sports Illustrated, after Alabama’s first fall scrimmage. “As the scrimmage went on, both [Simpson and Mack] got better. Had their moments early where they could have executed better. They could use some help from some guys once in a while. They’re not going to be perfect all the time.”

Alabama still has time before making a decision. However, the sooner DeBoer and company can figure things out, the better. After all, there’s a reason why the old idiom exists that having two quarterbacks on a team means a team has no quarterback. Alabama will start the 2026 NCAA season on Sept. 5 against the East Carolina Pirates at Bryant-Denny Stadium.

Alabama schedule in 2026

Whether Russell, the second-year quarterback in Tuscaloosa, or Mack, the more experienced Washington transfer who followed DeBoer to Alabama, will start remains uncertain. However, the Tide already know whom they will face throughout the 2026 college football campaign.

With that in mind, it’s reasonable to understand why the Buckeyes have decided to change their annual celebration of graduating seniors, even if students and fans themselves don’t agree with it.

As the Buckeyes announced their home-game themes for the upcoming 2026 NCAA football campaign, something caught the attention of fans. Football’s Senior Day will be celebrated in the home opener (Sept. 5) against the Ball State Cardinals, rather than the typical home finale against Michigan. In that sense, Ohio State is shying away from tradition.

Unusual change to schedule

Instead of honoring the senior classmen on the Buckeyes’ football roster in the last regular-season home game, this time they will be honored in the home opener against an inferior opponent, and with the rest of the season still ahead. Considering Ohio State’s recent struggles against Michigan at The Horseshoe, it’s hard not to believe that had something to do with it.

The Wolverines won the last two games in Columbus and boast a favorable 29-27-2 record when playing Ohio State on the road. Maybe the Buckeyes don’t want their despised rivals from Ann Arbor to ruin what’s supposed to be a celebratory day—once again. Losing “The Game” stings badly enough; doing so at home only hurts more, and tarnishing the seniors’ final home game may be too much to bear.

Throughout the years, Senior Day has been held during “The Game” regardless, but it seems the Buckeyes want to break the trend and will go to any length to do so. Fans, however, disapprove. “Quit messing with traditions. Senior Day belongs on Nov. 28th! Something special about it on The Game,” a Buckeyes fan said in response to the team’s post. “Senior Day Week 1 is a terrible idea,” another user chimed in.

Ohio State’s home-schedule and game themes

Ohio State will host seven regular season games at The Shoe, starting off with Senior Day against Ball State in the first weekend of September and wrapping it up against Michigan in “The Game” on Nov. 28th.

While Ohio State steered away from tradition with their changes to Senior Day and “The Game”, they still didn’t name Michigan. Instead, that remained the same, with the Buckeyes referring to the Ann-Arbor school as That Team Up North (TTUN).