A few weeks ago the coaching carousel was hitting the SEC hard as multiple programs officially moved on from their previous head coaches to hire their replacement. The dust has finally settled when it comes to head coaches, but a new epidemic is sweeping the conference involving their star quarterbacks.
Many of the SEC's top quarterbacks have big decisions to make this offseason. Some QBs will decide to enter the Transfer Portal while others may be looking at moving on to the NFL. There are also a few quarterbacks who will decide to stay put at their current schools as well, and that is what Texas quarterback Arch Manning announced on Monday.
BREAKING: Quarterback Arch Manning will return to #Texas for the 2026 season, a source close to the situation told @Horns247 .https://t.co/ow5Drx84Dh pic.twitter.com/rMqL1TT5Vy
— Chip Brown (@ChipBrown247) December 16, 2025
This news on the surface seems like it does not impact Georgia whatsoever, but that couldn't be further from the truth.
Arch Manning's return to Texas is great news for Georgia
Georgia is a perfect 3-0 against Texas since the Longhorns joined the SEC. Manning has been on the Longhorns team for all three losses which includes Georgia's dominant 35-10 win earlier this season. So the Longhorns have proven that they can't beat Georgia with Manning at QB, so the fact that he is staying at Texas for another season is great news for Georgia.
Georgia and Texas are not scheduled to play next season in what will likely be Manning's last season in college. However, there is always the chance that they meet in the SEC Championship game like they did in 2024, and everyone knows how that game went. Gunner Stockton had to replace an injured Carson Beck at halftime, and he immediately came in and led Georgia to a comeback overtime victory.
This season however was even better as Stockton dominated the Longhorns defense all game long. Manning also didn't have an answer for Georgia's defense, so if these two battle again next season the edge clearly is in Georgia's favor.
There is always the chance that Manning will get a lot better this offseason before next season begins, but the same could happen with Stockton if he chooses to return. So if Georgia and Texas do play next season the Bulldogs should be a massive favorite because the Longhorns have proven they can't beat UGA with Manning quarterbacking their team.