Sarkisian Tells Arch Manning to Stay True to Himself Ahead of Tennessee Trip

The Texas quarterback will face his uncle Peyton's old school for the first time when the Longhorns visit Neyland Stadium on Saturday.

Arch Manning and the Texas Longhorns travel to Knoxville on Saturday for a matchup with Tennessee, the school where his uncle Peyton Manning played college football. Peyton led the Volunteers to an SEC Championship in 1997, making the visit a notable one for the family name.

It will be the first time the 22-year-old quarterback goes up against his uncle's alma mater, and a loud crowd at Neyland Stadium could make for a hostile environment in his debut appearance there.

Speaking at his Monday press conference, Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian addressed the scrutiny that comes with Manning's position and last name. "You're a quarterback at Texas, your last name is Manning, regardless of what you do, you're going to get critiqued," Sarkisian said.

The coach emphasized that he wants Manning to play his own game rather than follow the path of his relatives or past Longhorns greats. "I don't want him to be Archie, I don't want him to be Peyton, I don't want him to be Eli, I don't want him to be Colt McCoy, I don't want him to be Vince Young, I want him to be Arch Manning and Arch Manning is plenty good enough for us to put us in position to win," he said.

Sarkisian also praised Manning's leadership and mobility, noting that he does not play the position mechanically and uses his legs effectively. Manning has helped Texas open the season 3-0 heading into the Southeastern Conference contest.