With the start of the 2026 college football season just a few weeks away, expectations are high for the Texas Longhorns. After adding some of the premier players in the transfer portal, Texas is seen as one of the best teams in the country. They have also drawn the attention of former LSU coach Brian Kelly when asked about the SEC on Monday.
While making an appearance on CBS Sports, Kelly said, ” I think coach Steve Sarkisian has a really good team from top to bottom. I think if Arch Manning continues his growth and reaches the level he is capable of. I think in year two he is a lot more comfortable. I think Texas is the team to beat.”
The fact that Kelly highlighted Manning comes as no surprise. The Louisiana native showed some promising signs in his first season as a starter even though it was full of ups and downs. During the 2025 campaign, Manning completed 248 of his 404 passing attempts for 3,163 yards.
As Manning frustrated defensive coordinators with his arm, he also made an impact with his leg. The Longhorns quarterback set career highs in rushing yards with 399 and rushing touchdowns with 10. If he can build on that success, then Texas will have one of the best signal callers in the nation leading the way.
On offense, Manning will have some weapons at his disposal in Cam Coleman, Michael Masunas, Hollywood Smothers, and Raleek Brown. That group should make one of the nation’s most promising units from last season even better.
If Kelly’s prediction proves to be true, then there will be a lot to celebrate on the Forty Acres this fall.
This article originally appeared on Longhorns Wire: Who does Former LSU coach Brian Kelly think wins SEC? It’s not Tigers
Reporting by Jamie Gatlin, Longhorns Wire / Longhorns Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Jamie Gatlin, Longhorns Wire | USA TODAY Network
