Arch Manning and Julian Sayin arrived at their respective programs with great expectations.<\/p>\n
Manning was the No. 1 prospect in the Class of 2023 and signed with Texas in a well-publicized recruiting battle. Sayin was the No. 1 quarterback in the 2024 class and signed with Alabama before transferring to Ohio State after Nick Saban\u2019s retirement.<\/p>\n
Last year, when Ohio State hosted Texas, the two QBs were the headliners, but their performances didn\u2019t live up to the hype, as each team\u2019s defense stole the show. Ohio State won 14-7, with Sayin throwing for 126 yards and one touchdown in his first extended playing time and Manning throwing for 170 yards, one touchdown and one interception in his third career start.<\/p>\n
Neither team wanted to put its young quarterback in a difficult position, but that will be a different story this season. Both sides see completely different players when they look at the film, which should, according to both coaches, lead to better quarterback play.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou see the level of confidence that both guys are playing with, the presence in the pocket, you notice their confidence to use their legs,\u201d Texas coach Steve Sarkisian said. \u201cYou see the trust and timing. It\u2019s a pretty drastic difference for the two players the second time around going up against one another. It should be pretty high-level quarterback play on Saturday.\u201d<\/p>\n
Which is better: the Big Ten or SEC?<\/p>\n
Chris Vannini<\/p>\n
Last year\u2019s game by the numbers<\/p>\n
After last season\u2019s win, Day said he felt like he could\u2019ve put more responsibility on Sayin\u2019s shoulders. His 20 attempts were the fewest of the season (when he played the entire game), and the 37 percent dropback rate tied for Ohio State\u2019s lowest of the season (with the Michigan game), according to TruMedia.<\/p>\n
The Michigan game, though, was played in a second-half snowstorm with Ohio State leading by multiple possessions. Texas was not, but the Buckeyes were stuck with bad field position throughout much of the game. Ohio State started six of its 11 drives inside the 20-yard line, with five starting inside the 10.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe had poor field position to start, so that played into it as well,\u201d Day said. \u201cYou have to be aggressive, but you also have to be smart. That\u2019s the balance.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ohio State attempted one pass 15 yards or more downfield, according to TruMedia, and it resulted in a 40-yard touchdown to Carnell Tate, which was essentially the difference in the game.<\/p>\n
Texas, meanwhile, attempted eight passes of 15 yards or more, completing three for 90 yards, with one touchdown and one interception. Manning struggled with Ohio State\u2019s coverage disguises and threw one interception (and had another turnover-worthy throw, according to Pro Football Focus).<\/p>\n
\u201cI thought their ability to disguise coverages in the first half was at an elite level,\u201d Sarkisian said after the game. \u201cI wouldn\u2019t say a good level \u2014 an elite level.\u201d<\/p>\n
Though Manning threw more, mostly because Texas was behind most of the game, the Horns\u2019 50.7 percent dropback rate was their fourth-lowest of the season, showing that the staff still didn\u2019t want to ask too much of him.<\/p>\n
\u201cNot a lot of good memories from a year ago,\u201d Manning said. \u201cHoping to have a good game this year.\u201d<\/p>\n
Why they are two different QBs now<\/p>\n
Neither quarterback is playing into the high-profile hype of Saturday night\u2019s showdown. Both provided vanilla answers when asked how different they feel going into this year\u2019s game.<\/p>\n
Sayin: \u201cI think just having last year\u2019s experience definitely helps you as a quarterback in kind of every aspect of your game.\u201d<\/p>\n
Manning: \u201cA year better.\u201d<\/p>\n
There\u2019s nothing vanilla about the way both are playing now.<\/p>\n
Sayin completed 77 percent of his attempts last season, the third-highest mark in college football history, and he was a Heisman Trophy finalist. He\u2019s been praised by his teammates, as well as Day, for his complete control of both the offensive game plan and the huddle. The 6-foot-1, 214-pound California native doesn\u2019t jump off the film physically, but his ball placement has been elite since he stepped onto the field as a second-year player in 2025.<\/p>\n
Day has also seen growth in the way his quarterback has emerged as a leader.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe gets together with the receivers, the offensive line and talks through things,\u201d Day said.<\/p>\n