Arch Manning, Garrett Nussmeier, Fantasy Football Drafts & More!

As I sit here typing on my keyboard with the TCU vs North Carolina game on in the background. I see Bill Bellicheck in his cut-off hoodie. I can’t help but smile about football season being back. The boys get their time again. The females enjoy their PSL’s (pumpkin spice latte’s, for the single guys out there). The sportsbooks are buzzing here in Las Vegas.

We’re only a couple weeks in, and the college football drama is already wild. Big-name debuts, defensive statements, Heisman hopefuls making noise, and of course—our favorite name in the game lighting up the scoreboard again. Let’s overreact.

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Arch Manning’s Road Debut: Rough, but the Stage Was Brutal

Arch Manning made his first collegiate road start against powerhouse Ohio State, and it wasn’t the fairytale debut Texas fans wanted. Missed short passes, shaky playcalling, and a heavy dose of nerves kept the offense sputtering.

But here’s the thing: it was The Shoe. A packed, hostile environment for any quarterback, let alone a first-time road starter. Growing pains were inevitable.

What went well for Texas? The defense. They held Ohio State to just 14 points, bottled up the Buckeyes’ passing attack to 120 yards total, and limited superstar WR Jeremiah Smith to only 43 yards on 6 catches. Still wasn’t enough to bring home the win…

Overreaction: Arch may have struggled, but Texas’ defense looked championship caliber. If he grows into the role, this team is scary.

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Garrett Nussmeier: Heisman Statement in Death Valley

On the flip side, Garrett Nussmeier looked every bit the Heisman candidate many pegged him to be. Taking his team on the road into Clemson, he dropped 230 yards and 1 TD in a controlled, efficient win.

The story here isn’t just Nussmeier, though. It’s Clemson. For years, they’ve been penciled in as contenders no matter what. But after this showing? It’s fair to wonder if they’re overrated.

Overreaction: Nussmeier is legit, and Clemson is cooked. Pencil him into the Heisman race right now.

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Maverick McIvor: Name of the Year and Box Score Legend

And then there’s our guy. Maverick McIvor. The frontrunner for Name of the Year in college football. The Western Kentucky gunslinger followed up his Week 1 explosion with another gem: 305 yards and 5 touchdowns.

This Hilltoppers offense is doing what Hilltoppers offenses do—airing it out, lighting up the scoreboard, and forcing every defensive coordinator in Conference USA to lose sleep.

Overreaction: Forget mid-major labels—McIvor and Western Kentucky have the best passing game in the country. Period.

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The Lost Art of the Live Fantasy Draft

Look, online drafts are convenient. Log in, click a button, auto-pick if you’re running late. But let’s be real—they don’t even come close to the pure chaos and joy of a live, in-person draft.

There’s nothing like it:

• Walking up to the board and slapping that sticker of the guy you’re counting on to lead you to fantasy glory.
• The chorus of boos, groans, and laughter as your league-mates react.
• Yelling “REAAAAAACCCCHHHHH!” every chance you get.
• The timekeeper shouting “make your pick!” while the indecisive manager sweats through his cheat sheet.

A live draft isn’t just about building a roster—it’s a full-blown event. The pizza, the wings, the trash talk, the inside jokes that live on for years. It’s fantasy football in its purest form, and far too many new players have never had the chance to experience it.

Overreaction: Online drafts might be killing the soul of fantasy football. Bring back the boards, the stickers, the yelling, and the camaraderie—or risk losing what made this game magical in the first place.

The Takeaway

• Arch Manning had a rough outing, but Texas’ defense proved it’s built to carry.
• Garrett Nussmeier just announced himself as a real Heisman player—and exposed Clemson along the way.
• Maverick McIvor keeps throwing touchdowns and keeps owning the spotlight (and our hearts) with that name.