The Texas Longhorns defeated the Vanderbilt Commodores 34-31 on Saturday. Quarterback Arch Manning was named SEC Offensive Player of the Week following his performance. Texas now enters its bye week before a pivotal matchup against No.

Texas had some early struggles to start the year and suffered two early losses, with the national spotlight highlighting the offense’s struggles. In many offenses that struggle, the first player to get the blame is the quarterback, and such was the case with first-year starter Arch Manning.

Texas quarterback Arch Manning had quite the week. It started with him in concussion protocol after a rough hit the week before against Mississippi State. Then it took another turn when he was caught in a viral photo at a traffic stop before he finished the week by leading the No. 20 Longhorns to a 34-31 win over No. 9 Vanderbilt on Saturday.

Manning was named Offensive Player of the Week, and Simmons was Co-Defensive Line for their performance vs. Vanderbilt.

It also derailed Arch Manning‘s preseason Heisman hype and hopes. Now, sitting at 7-2, Texas is still in the hunt – all thanks to the 12-team playoff format introduced last season. With room for three teams each from the Big Ten and SEC,

After clearing concussion protocol last week, Texas QB Arch Manning authored a huge win over No. 9 Vanderbilt that kept Texas in solid contention in the SEC race and the CFP. Here's how he did it.

The Longhorns motioned wide receiver Ryan Wingo from left-to-right on the first play from scrimmage and Manning found him to kickstart a 75-yard touchdown. He rolled right and allowed a play to develop in the endzone later that quarter on a 6-yard touchdown pass to CJ Baxter.

Arch Manning stepped onto the field against Vanderbilt feeling a weight lifting off his shoulders in a way that hadn’t happened all season. After getting hit 60 times in seven games, the Texas sophomore quarterback has been playing football like a guy constantly looking over his shoulder.