The Texas Longhorns ended the 2025 season on a positive note, but it didn’t go as they had envisioned. Texas entered the season as the No. 1 team in the country after consecutive College Football Playoff appearances in 2023 and 2024. After a bumpy 3-2 start, the Longhorns finished strong, going 7-1 in their last eight games, but they still missed the CFP. Following a 41-27 Citrus Bowl win over the Michigan Wolverines on New Year’s Eve, Texas QB Arch Manning — the nephew of two-time Super Bowl champion/former Tennessee Volunteers star Peyton — made it clear he doesn’t want to play in the game again. “Nothing against the Citrus Bowl, but I think [Peyton] played in it twice,” Arch Manning said. “I don’t want to have to play in it twice.” So, how does Texas ensure Arch Manning isn’t playing in the Citrus Bowl again next season? Texas knows it can count on Arch Manning in 2026. His roller-coaster ride of a first season as a full-time starter culminated with a stellar Citrus Bowl performance. The QB totaled 37
