The Arch Manning hype train rolled into Columbus on Saturday afternoon.
The Buckeyes stopped it, robbed it and dismantled it for parts.
Manning’s first week as Texas’ starting quarterback, which doubled as his first big test at No. 3 Ohio State, turned into a dud. After being touted as a Heisman Trophy hopeful and potential No. 1 overall pick, Manning spent most of the afternoon looking like anything but as he went 17-for-30, throwing for 170 yards, one touchdown and one interception as the Buckeyes beat the Longhorns, 14-7.
Manning did have his best moments of the game late, leading a 60-yard, 42-second touchdown drive on either side of the four-minute mark to pull Texas within seven points.
Then, after the Longhorns got the ball back, Manning dropped one into the breadbasket for Jack Endries for 30 yards for his best throw of the afternoon.
From there, though, the potential game-tying drive stalled out.
Manning had Ryan Wingo open on a crossing route on third-and-5 with room to run, but threw it behind the receiver, who couldn’t corral his pass.
On fourth down, facing pressure, Manning completed a pass to Endries, but it was short of the sticks. The turnover on downs effectively ended the game.
Still, for most of the afternoon, it was an uphill climb for Peyton and Eli’s nephew.
Manning struggled badly for the first three quarters and had fewer than 30 passing yards at the half.
To open the third quarter, Texas put together a run-heavy drive to get to the goal line, only for it to end when Manning was stuffed on an attempted Tush Push.
He was then intercepted by Jermaine Mathews Jr., leading to an Ohio State touchdown drive.
While it can be fairly noted that going to Ohio State was as tough a test as possible for Manning, his status as a Heisman hopeful and potential No. 1 pick implied he should have been able to handle it better than he did,
Moreover, Manning is not a true freshman but a junior who spent the last two seasons sitting behind Quinn Ewers and learning.
He’ll have a chance to get right against lighter competition — Texas plays San Jose State and UTEP the next two weeks — but this performance will put an end to the Heisman hype for now.
Manning will need to get right by the time SEC play comes around, otherwise the preseason No. 1 Longhorns will undoubtedly struggle to make back to the playoff.