Because of the buildup, the Texas-sized expectations. Almost seven decades ago, Bill Bradley walked in Arch Manning’s shoes.

A is for Arch. Manning, the Texas starting quarterback, has 95 career pass attempts and 28 rushes and is now charged with taking the top-ranked Longhorns back to the top of the college football world.

When New Orleans Saints legend Archie Manning watched his grandson, Arch, run for his first touchdown at Texas, he couldn’t help but laugh and call it “unbelievable.” The oldest of his four grandsons, ...