Well, here we go.
Arch Manning and No. 4 Texas are about to find out whether all the hype was actually warranted.
The Longhorns travel to Columbus this weekend to face No. 1 Ohio State in the biggest game of the young college football season. Ohio State opened the year by destroying Ball State 56-3, while Texas enters its first major test with Manning carrying an enormous spotlight.
And that is exactly what makes this game so fascinating.
Manning does not need to win the Heisman on Saturday. He does not need to throw for 500 yards. He does not even need to dominate.
He just needs to look like he belongs.
Because for all the hype surrounding Manning, this is the type of game people will remember when the College Football Playoff picture takes shape.
Ohio State already looks like a national championship machine. Texas is trying to prove it belongs in the same conversation.
The Buckeyes are No. 1 for a reason.
But if Manning walks into Columbus and knocks off the defending national champion?
Forget the hype.
The hype becomes reality.
And suddenly, everyone else in college football has a serious problem.
