Tennessee · SECBrian Kelly picks Arch Manning over Faizon Brandon for Texas-Tennessee
Brandon has six touchdown passes and no interceptions through three games, but Kelly flagged his timing before No. 1 Texas visits unbeaten No. 14 Tennessee.
SEP 24, 2026
Brandon through three games
Manning through three games
Both teams entering the matchup
01 · The NewsKelly backs Manning in late-game call
Brian Kelly picked Texas quarterback Arch Manning over Tennessee freshman Faizon Brandon to lead a late game-winning drive when the unbeaten teams meet Saturday, Sept. 26, putting No. 1 Texas’ experience against No. 14 Tennessee’s unbeaten start.
Kelly made the call on SiriusXM: “I think somebody’s gonna have to lead a late game drive. And I think Arch is gonna do that. I think Faizon is close, but he’s not there yet.”
Brandon’s production has not given Kelly much to criticize. Through three games, he has completed 64.1% of his passes for 552 yards, six touchdowns and no interceptions, with 137 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns. Manning has 661 passing yards, seven touchdowns, two interceptions, a 61.5% completion rate and 83 rushing yards.
Kelly’s concern is what happens when Brandon’s timing is tested. “I thought his accuracy was a little bit off last week against inferior competition,” Kelly said. Throws that arrive late or behind the receiver on run-pass options could become interceptions against Texas.
If the Longhorns crowd the run and force him into quick throws, the freshman will have to make accurate throws, though Kelly said he is not yet ready for the moment.
Texas is 3-0 after beating Ohio State 24-23 on Sept. 12, while Tennessee is also 3-0. Josh Pate’s preseason bracket put Texas at No. 5 in the playoff field; Kelly’s confidence in Manning supports that pick and adds pressure to it in the Longhorns’ first major road game.
02 · The StakesThe stakes
The noon ET matchup could shape both teams’ early playoff paths and answer whether Tennessee has a quarterback ready to win a high-pressure SEC game.
03 · The Detail Beneath the HeadlineWhat Most People Are Missing
Kelly’s quarterback pick also lands at the front of sharply different October ramps. Tennessee follows Texas with Auburn on Oct. 3, then Arkansas, Alabama and South Carolina on consecutive Saturdays through Oct. 24. Texas does not have another listed game until Oklahoma on Oct. 10, followed by Florida and Ole Miss. The Sept. 26 result feeds directly into four more dates for Tennessee, while Texas gets a calendar gap before its next listed opponent. The contrast also sits atop different 2025 baselines: Tennessee finished 8-5 and Texas 10-3, so the same unbeaten start represents a larger climb for the Volunteers.
“I think Arch is gonna do that. I think Faizon is close, but he’s not there yet.”
Brian Kelly, on SiriusXM04 · The Open QuestionsQuestions to Be Answered
Can Faizon Brandon keep his no-interception start intact when Texas forces the quick throws Kelly identified?
Brandon’s six touchdown passes and zero interceptions have protected Tennessee through three games, but Kelly isolated late and behind-target RPO throws as the danger on Sept. 26. The clearest answer will come from Brandon’s turnover total and ball placement when Texas crowds the run, especially if the game reaches the late drive Kelly predicted.
05 · The Watch ListWhat We're Watching
Can Brandon beat the pressure?
Watch whether Texas crowds the run and forces the freshman into quick throws.
Are Brandon’s throws on time?
Late or behind-target throws on run-pass options could become interceptions against Texas.