Arch Manning Makes Texas' CFP Case As Longhorns Down No. 3 A&M

AUSTIN – On a crisp November night at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium, Arch Manning turned a tense rivalry showdown into a signature moment, rallying Texas from a halftime deficit and powering the Longhorns to a 27–17 win over previously unbeaten Texas A&M, handing the third-ranked Aggies their first loss of the season.

Manning showed why his team is worthy of a spot in the College Football Playoff, outscoring Texas A&M 24-7 in the second half by using its run game and tough nosed defense to defeat their rivals for the second consecutive season.

What began as a slow, uneven offensive night for Texas transformed into one of the program’s most impressive second-half surges in recent memory. Manning, steady even through first-half misfires, found his rhythm when it mattered most, guiding a Texas offense that came alive after halftime with a mix of grit, improvisation, and well-timed aggression.

Trailing 10–3 at the break, the Longhorns flipped the script almost immediately in the third quarter. Manning connected with Ryan Wingo on a 29-yard strike that gave Texas its first lead and shifted the tone of the night. The crowd, hungry for a defining moment in the renewed rivalry, responded with the kind of energy that washed over the field like momentum itself.

But the defining play belonged solely to Manning. Faced with a third down just inside Aggie territory midway through the fourth quarter, the red shirt sophomore took off through the heart of the A&M defense, bursting free for a 35-yard touchdown that sent the stadium into a frenzy. It was the kind of play that didn’t just seal a win — it introduced a moment fans won’t forget.

"I think we're absolutely a playoff team," Texas Longhorns Head Coach Steve Sarkisian said. "We just beat them by two scores. So, to me, that's a pretty impressive win, a pretty dominant win for our team that I don't know how many other teams can say they have wins like that on their schedule."

Texas lost its season opener to No. 3 Ohio State in the season opener and again at No. 5 Georgia two weeks ago, finishing the season 3-2 against top-10 teams.

"We went on the road to Ohio State in Week 1 and lost to them in a one-score game," Sarkisian said. "We outgained them by nearly 200 yards and no one else has been close to a one-score game against them. But I think more importantly, it's the message that what do we want to send to the head coaches and the athletic directors around the country? Do you want us not to schedule Ohio State? Because if we're a 10-2 team right now, this isn't a discussion. We're in the playoff. But we were willing to go up there and play that game."

Longhorns running back Quintrevion Wisner was vital to Texas’ resurgence, battering the Aggie front for 155 yards and controlling the pace as Texas outscored A&M 24–7 after halftime. His consistency allowed the Longhorns to dictate tempo and keep A&M’s offense on the sideline during critical stretches in the third quarter.

Defensively, Texas delivered its most disciplined football in the final quarter. Twice the Aggies marched deep into Longhorns territory with a chance to tighten the score, and twice they were turned away by interceptions — each one a dagger to A&M’s hopes for a late comeback. The final turnover, snagged at the Texas 3-yard line and intercepted by Michael Taaffe, symbolized the Longhorns’ resilience on a night they refused to let slip away.

"I don't think the committee should punish us for giving college football what they want to see," Taaffe said. "Nonconference game, No. 1 vs. No. 2 in Columbus, Ohio, a rematch of the Cotton Bowl from last year, one of the biggest games in all college football. Everybody was tuning in for that game and I think college football is really happy that Texas played Ohio State in Week 1."

For Texas, this one means more than bragging rights. Against a top-three opponent, with national eyes on them and the stakes magnified, the Longhorns put together a statement win—one built on patience, physicality, and a quarterback who embraced the spotlight.

In a rivalry reborn, Texas delivered the night’s final word. And this time, it carried the weight of something bigger than a victory: belief.