Arch Manning and the Texas Longhorns are set to travel to Knoxville for a highly anticipated matchup against the No. 14 Tennessee Volunteers. The game carries an extra family significance for Manning, as Neyland Stadium is the same venue where his uncle, Peyton Manning, built his college football legacy with the Volunteers.

The matchup will also mark Texas’ first road game of the 2026 season. However, before the Longhorns made their first trip away from home, Manning and his Texas teammates received some pointed criticism from an anonymous coach.

During an interview with Bruce Feldman of The Athletic, the anonymous coach offered a blunt assessment of Texas, describing Manning and the Longhorns as “soft.” The criticism appeared to focus less on the team’s athletic ability and more on whether Texas consistently plays with the physical edge expected from a championship contender.

“They’ve got everything,” the coach said. “They look the part. They’re fast. They can bend. But they just don’t have an edge to ’em. They’re soft everywhere.”

Article Continues Below

Last season provided some evidence behind concerns about Texas’ ability to perform on the biggest stages. Despite entering the season with significant expectations, Manning’s team failed to reach the College Football Playoff and finished the season with a 10-3 record.

However, Manning, one of the projected 2027 NFL Draft picks, has helped Texas open the season with an undefeated 3-0 record. Through three games, he has thrown for 661 yards and seven touchdowns while adding 83 rushing yards.

Manning carries one of the most recognizable surnames in college football, which has placed considerable attention on his career. Now, the game against Tennessee will give Manning and his teammates an opportunity to respond to questions about their toughness against a ranked SEC opponent.

The Texas vs. Tennessee game is scheduled to kick off Saturday at noon ET.