Arch Manning Has Clear Edge Over Ohio State’s QBs, Claims Mack Brown

Arch Manning Has Clear Edge Over Ohio State’s QBs, Claims Mack Brown originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

The opening week of the 2025 college football season carries weight well beyond the scoreboard.

Texas faces Ohio State in a marquee showdown, and all eyes are already fixed on the quarterbacks. Arch Manning, now entering his first year as the full-time starter in Austin, carries lofty expectations.

Across the field, Ohio State is still sorting out its own battle under center between Julian Sayin and Lincoln Kienholz.

That uncertainty, paired with Manning's game experience, is what led Mack Brown to offer an emphatic take that could ripple through both programs.

Mack Brown Says Arch’s Experience Gives Him the Edge

On Wednesday's episode of “The Stampede” podcast, Mack Brown offered a blunt but measured assessment of Manning’s advantage heading into the opener in a conversation with his co-hosts Bob Ballou and Vince Young.

“Arch played in (last) year's Ohio State game. Arch has been in a playoff game,” Brown said.

His message was clear: mental readiness isn’t theoretical for Manning; it’s already been put in practice. The 21-year-old signal-caller has been on the sidelines the day before, prepared through the pregame chaos and taken real, meaningful snaps under pressure.

Last season, Manning saw limited playing time, including two starts, and showed flashes of his elite pocket presence and quick release.

While his final stat line against the Buckeyes wasn’t anything meaningful, the reps in that contest and over the 2024 season mattered. Against an opponent as fast and aggressive as Ohio State, that exposure could mark the difference between settling in or unraveling.

Results of QB Battle Pressure Weighing on Julian Sayin and Lincoln Kienholz

Ohio State’s quarterback room is deep but inexperienced. Julian Sayin and Lincoln Kienholz are both high-upside talents, but neither has solidified a grip on the starting role. Sayin, a five-star recruit, boasts a clean mechanics-first style, while Kienholz adds mobility and toughness, yet both are still unproven on the national stage.

Will Howard, who led the Buckeyes to a national title in 2024, left big shoes behind. And now, as Mack Brown put it, “That poor guy going to be real nervous when he goes out there against the Texas defense on national TV at noon for the first time in his life.”

The Buckeyes haven’t named a starter, which only compounds the scrutiny. Texas’ defensive front, one of the nation’s most aggressive, won’t be easing anyone in.

This isn't just another high-stakes opener. It's a referendum on development, poise, and preparation. If Manning looks more in command early, it may not just be about talent—it may be about time logged in the fire.

The countdown to kickoff has started, as the Longhorns will face the Buckeyes on Aug. 30, but for Ohio State’s quarterbacks, the real pressure has been building all offseason.

Related: A.J. McCarron Highlights Key Hurdles in Arch Manning’s Rise Amid Massive Hype

Related: Rece Davis Names the Big Ten QB Who Is Following Joe Burrow’s Footsteps

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 30, 2025, where it first appeared.