Arch Manning Underwhelms, Box Score Stats, Highlights, Draft Stock from Texas' Win vs. Tennessee

Texas earned its fourth win to open the 2026 college football season.

The top-ranked Longhorns went on the road and held on to beat No. 14 Tennessee 20-17 in Knoxville.

They struggled to get much breathing room until a four-yard touchdown run from Raleek Brown in the fourth quarter made it a two-score game inside the final six minutes.

The Vols nearly pulled off the improbable as true freshman quarterback Faizon Brandon hit Mike Matthews for a 30-yard touchdown pass with 1:22 remaining. Tennessee then recovered the ensuing onside kick.

The offense went backward and couldn't get into field-goal range. Brandon's Hail Mary attempt as time expired was batted away.

Much like in the comeback victory over Ohio State, Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning didn't have a prolific showing. The result should help his 2027 NFL draft stock on its own, though.

The senior also had moments like this throw to Jermaine Bishop Jr. where the proof of concept was blindingly obvious:

For a quarterback with Manning's reputation, you'd still like to see him put the offense on his back in a way he hasn't much in a big game.

Texas couldn't get much going on the ground. Brown ran for 67 yards and averaged just 3.9 yards per carry.

That didn't make Manning's life easier, but there are always going to be days when a quarterback has little support from the backfield. That's when the QB needs to step up, and Manning didn't do that against Tennessee.

ESPN's Jordan Reid reported at least 10 NFL teams had representatives at Neyland Stadium. Manning wasn't the Texas player who will have impressed them the most.

Longhorns edge-rusher Colin Simmons, the No. 3 overall prospect on Bleacher Report's 2027 big board , had five sacks to tie a single-game record for the program.

Granted, Simmons will need to be wiser with his on-field celebrations.

Texas has a week off before it renews its longstanding rivalry with Oklahoma on Oct. 10 at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas.

The Sooners could be sitting at 2-2 by the time Saturday ends. They play No. 2 Georgia on the road. As unimpressive as their offense has looked, however, their defense was allowing just 215.3 yards per game entering Week 4.

This figures to be another stiff test for Manning and a Texas offense that needs to find better balance.