IT Roundtable: Arch Manning's response, Texas vs. San Jose State predictions, keys to the game

The No. 7 Texas Longhorns look to lock up their first win of the 2025 season on Saturday against the visiting San Jose State Spartans. What does the Inside Texas staff want to see from Arch Manning? Which young players are must-see TV? How will the game end up? The IT Staff provides predictions in the Roundtable.

[Sign up for Inside Texas TODAY for $1 and get the BEST Longhorns coverage!]

What do you want to see from Arch Manning in his second start of the season?

Eric Nahlin – I want to see enough real QB traits, not just the Aaron Rodgers rips down the field, so I can feel comfortable enough to start talking trash to the doubters again as we inch towards the SEC opener.

Justin Wells – Comfort. He needs to be cool, calm, and hit his crossers.

Ian Boyd – I want to see him consistently hit Ryan Wingo on crossing patterns.

Joe Cook – He has to be able to do the mundane. Being able to establish a baseline for the play-caller that indicates the easy stuff will remain easy is key as Manning and Steve Sarkisian continue writing their story. The entire gameplan can be thrown out if the mundane becomes an adventure. The ‘wow’ throws are there, we saw a couple in Columbus. The normal throws have to be there or else Manning will need a lot more ‘wow’ throws every game.

Charlie Williams – A much cleaner game. Making the right reads, setting his feet and throwing the football with accuracy like we know he can.

RT Young – Better accuracy on the “easy” throws, a lot more poise and a little less mustard on his fastball

NashTalksTexas – Accuracy.

Evan Vieth – The ability to string together a full drive where he’s hitting accurate throws and leading receivers into spots to succeed. The deep ball will come, but consistency has to be first.

Paul Wadlington – I suggested – not altogether in jest – that Sark open Saturday’s passing script with the ten throws he missed in Columbus. Throw a counter run in between each if you like. The concept is the concept, an open receiver is an open receiver. Then make him run QB sweep on the goal line and follow his blocker, even if things get crowded and messy. He needs to build some trust.

The SJSU offense throws, throws, and throws some more. What do you want to see from the Longhorn defense?

Eric Nahlin – Battled balls, sacks, turnovers, three-and-outs, you name it. Should be another good game for man coverage.

Justin Wells – Forcing turnovers. Interceptions, fumbles, creating chaos.

Ian Boyd – This should be the week for some sacks if they can keep the SJSU quarterback from easily finding his first read and make him hold onto the football.

Joe Cook – I’d like to see how some of the second-wave defensive backs like Derek Williams, Jordon Johnson-Rubell, and Xavier Filsaime look this game. The questions surrounding players like Michael Taaffe and Jelani McDonald are different. For the aforementioned trio, how do they tackle? Can they make the right reads against a unique system? Can they hold up when they’re on snap 15 instead of snap 5?

Charlie Williams – How well Texas can tackle in space.

RT Young – Aggression. Make their drop back passing game pay in the form of pass rush and/or tight coverage.

NashTalksTexas – Communication.

Evan Vieth – Interceptions, or turnovers in general. They’re probably going to implement a similar style of containing Colin Simmons, so other players will need to pressure the QB and force fumbles or errant throws.

Paul Wadlington – There’s an interesting debate as to whether we should 1) stay as vanilla as possible in nickel with two safeties parked deep and just rally to the football from base coverages and keep our deeper secrets (like dime blitz packages) under wraps, or 2) if we should run dime and get some proficiency running it – who cares if it’s on film? There’s a third option where you roll out certain elements of a dummy game plan for future opponents. The idea is to make them waste prep time on stuff we have no interest in running. My guess is we’ll do No. 1.

Name one young offensive player and one young defensive player you’re excited to watch.

Eric Nahlin – As far as the season goes, the most important player is Christian Clark or Jerrick Gibson. I don’t care who it is but Texas needs someone with some twitch to step up at the position. On defense, I want to see Jordon Johnson-Rubell and Xavier Filsaime at safety. The reason being they’re both going to play a lot this season.

Justin Wells – Christian Clark. Let’s see him tote the rock live. Graceson Littleton is an easy answer, but give me some more Lance Jackson reps.

Ian Boyd – I hope we see Christian Clark to see if he can add a little juice to the run game. Defensively I want to see more of Graceson Littleton and hope he gets matched up on Danny Scudero.

Joe Cook – If I have to pick one wide receiver, it’s Kaliq Lockett. This is an opportunity for Texas to see how much progress some members of the 2025 class has made. On defense, it’s Justus Terry for similar reasons.

Charlie Williams – Christian Clark and Jonah Williams

RT Young – Christian Clark on offense and I’m going to cheat and say Graceson Littleton on defense

NashTalksTexas – Daylan McCutcheon, Justus Terry

Evan Vieth – Kaliq Lockett and Justus Terry

Paul Wadlington – I’ll be interested to see how Christian Clark is moving around. Defensively, we should get to see a little Justus Terry and Kade Phillips.

[SUBSCRIBE to the Inside Texas Football YouTube channel!]

Score prediction

Eric Nahlin – 45-7, Texas

Justin Wells – 45-3, Texas

Ian Boyd – 52-10, Texas

Joe Cook – 55-13, Texas

Charlie Williams – 48-7, Texas

RT Young – 30-6, Texas

NashTalksTexas – 49-13, Texas

Evan Vieth – 38-0, Texas

Paul Wadlington – 45-7, Texas