Arch Manning returns to Louisiana as No. 6 Texas faces No. 21 LSU

Arch Manning returns to his home state Saturday when No. 6 Texas visits No. 21 LSU with a three-game winning streak and a chance to strengthen its College Football Playoff résumé.

Manning grew up in New Orleans and attended games at Tiger Stadium as a child. He returns as the starter for a Texas team that has won four games against opponents ranked in the AP Top 25 at the time. The Longhorns and Tigers are sixth and 21st, respectively, in the latest CFP rankings.

Texas (7-2, 4-2 Southeastern Conference) beat Missouri 34-20 last week. Manning completed 28 of 38 passes for 297 yards and three touchdowns, including a 23-yard throw to running back Raleek Brown that put Texas ahead for good with 5:03 left.

LSU (6-3, 3-3) has 36 sacks, third most in the country. Edge rusher Princewill Umanmielen has 8½ of them. Texas has allowed 27 sacks.

“You could argue this is the most talented defense we’re going to go against this year,” Texas coach Steve Sarkisian said, according to The Associated Press.

LSU gained 457 yards in a 31-13 home loss to Alabama last week. Saturday is the Tigers’ final home game of the regular season. They finish with trips to Tennessee and Arkansas. Texas hosts Arkansas next week before closing at Texas A&M.

Kickoff is 7:30 p.m. ET on ABC. It is the teams’ first meeting since LSU won 45-38 in Austin in 2019.