When your last name is Manning, expectations follow you everywhere. Arch Manning, grandson of Archie and nephew to Peyton and Eli, carries not only the legacy of one of football’s most famous families but also the hopes of a Texas Longhorns program hungry for national glory.

This article was originally published on www.si.com as Cooper Manning Thought Arch’s Best Fit for College Might Have Been an ACC School. In less that two weeks, Arch Manning is set to make his debut as starting quarterback of the Texas Longhorns.

AUSTIN — Michael Taaffe admitted he found a certain degree of satisfaction when the Associated Press preseason All-America football team was unveiled this week. Partly because the Texas senior safety was one of those choices along with linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. and edge rusher Colin Simmons on the defense. But mostly because who wasn’t on it.

The University of Texas at Austin is ranked as the nation’s top team, according to the season’s first Associated Press Top 25 poll. But a number of other schools – including Texas Tech, SMU, and Texas A&M – also have major goals for the season.

However, the big advantage for Texas is the number of defensive players they return from a unit that ranked No. 3 in total defense. According to ESPN, the Longhorns return 62% of their returning production from last season, and added five blue-chip transfers across the defensive line to help make up for some of the attrition.

A new book detailing Arch Manning's recruitment reveals that Alabama tried to use Steve Sarkisian's sobriety to knock Texas.

The Manning family's NFL legacy is deep and rich, from patriarch Archie Manning playing 12 years for the New Orleans to his sons, Peyton and Eli, combining to collect five league MVP awards, three Super Bowl MVP nods and four Super Bowl rings.

Texas played Ohio State less than eight months ago. For next week's rematch, the Buckeyes will have a new defensive coordinator in ex-NFL coach Matt Patricia.