The 2019 Sugar Bowl left an indelible mark on Longhorn history. From the pre-game altercation between Bevo and Uga to the Longhorns’ triumphant victory over Georgia with a final score of 28-21, it was a year filled with unforgettable moments. To conclude the remarkable season, then-Texas quarterback Sam Ehlinger declared, “We’re back.”
Texas indeed has status as an academic and athletic powerhouse, boasting one of the nation’s largest endowments and athletic budgets, rivaling only Harvard University. The Burnt Orange identity holds immense significance.
But it took a while to be truly “back.”
Critics and rivals mocked “Texas is back” with every misstep over the next few years. Network analysts ask the question over and over, “Is Texas back?” The coach in that Sugar Bowl, Tom Herman, was dismissed. Steve Sarkisian came in and it took some time before he got UT back to competing for championships.
But now Texas is back, no pun intended to Sam Ehlinger. Two CFP berths in two years, two conference title appearances, an elite recruiting class on the horizon, and two elite quarterbacks sharing the field. Texas is back.
The decision to join the SEC was done with championships in mind. “Compete against the best to be the best” is the thinking. But playing the best week in and week out is challenging.
The Longhorns continue to face scrutiny and are often judged differently than other teams. The SEC’s 2024 season is considered a disappointment by some. But all of the aspirations for this season are still on the table for Texas. Two losses to Georgia won’t matter in the long run if UT wins the national title. Texas’s path to success is still alive.
Hiring Sarkisian, acquiring the highly touted prospect Quinn Ewers, and subsequently landing Arch Manning were all significant steps forward. However, despite these achievements, Texas fell short of securing the College Football Playoff National Championship last year. They did, however, win out the Big 12 in their final season.
So, what or who could restore Texas to its former glory, its elite-power dynasty status, if you will? First off, Texas has always been elite, in their ways of course. Financially, and academically, but on the football field, they have had their fair share of struggles. What could propel them to the level of the Alabama Nick Saban era. Well, the answer could lie in Arch Manning.
I’m not placing the entire fate of a billion-dollar brand’s image on a college student, but I believe Arch has the potential to lead Texas to levels of excellence we haven’t witnessed since the 2005 National Championship. The next two years could very well be a fairytale for the Longhorns. Next season, with a win at Ohio State, a victory at Georgia, and possibly even winning the SEC and heading to the Championship once again, could be a reality for the Longhorns.
Regardless, Arch Manning possesses the complete package to make things happen. With the No. 1 recruiting class loading up for his senior year, greatness is consistent. If he leads Texas to a win-out, we could be talking about an Arch Manning Heisman contender. That alone could be enough to redefine Texas as a dynasty.
Texas will always have haters of the brand, some claiming that the SEC, CFP, and others favor Texas. However, in all honesty, this analysis is intriguing. Texas is an interesting brand, and it undoubtedly lives up to the SEC Motto of “It Just Means More.”
So, am I suggesting that this year, specifically, this CFP couldn’t propel Texas back to greatness? Well, this could be Texas’ year; it’s an easy path, at least statistically, for the Longhorns to secure a spot in the National Championship. Nevertheless, I believe they’ll need more than just a first-round victory to truly be a dynasty similar to the likes of Alabama or Georgia.
A National Championship would undoubtedly be a significant achievement and would be proudly displayed in the Texas Athletics Hall of Fame and on the side of DKR. But, the Longhorns should crave consistency. To be truly elite, Texas must consistently perform at an elite level in every game. The Manning family thrives on consistency and growth.
Let’s be honest, Arch Manning has the potential to be a starter at any university in America and could potentially make the most NIL money imaginable. However, he has been behind Texas’ Quinn Ewers for the past two seasons, observing and learning from him. Next season, this is his team.
So, yes, this year could be the year Texas builds upon the SEC mantra of “Just Meaning More.” A win at the National Championship or even a first-round CFP game shouldn’t be enough to declare the Longhorns a dynasty. But it’ll look great on the journey. Texas is indeed back, the question is, how do you define back?
During SEC Media Days, Nick Saban declared that Texas wouldn’t dominate the SEC. However, in their inaugural season, the Longhorns made it to the SEC Championship game and they are right back in the College Football Playoff, with no Alabama in sight.
Nick Saban from the top rope
“Texas ain’t gonna run the SEC.” pic.twitter.com/OsYiLCS52R
— Touchdown Alabama (@TDAlabamaMag) July 15, 2024
Above all else, they certainly outperformed their arch-rivals, A&M.
This article originally appeared on Longhorns Wire: Could Arch Manning take Texas Longhorns from ‘back’ to ‘dynasty’?