SEC Media Days always signals the unofficial start of college football season, and with the conference heading into another year of expanded expectations, there is no shortage of questions.
Can Texas and Arch Manning live up to the hype? Is LSU ready to contend for a national championship with new head coach Lane Kiffin and Sam Leavitt under center? Which new head coaches are poised to make an immediate impact?
Those questions headline the latest episode of Game Runs Deep, as host Sudu Upadhyay is joined by CBS Sports college football analyst and former Rice quarterback Taylor McHargue for a wide-ranging discussion on the conference entering SEC Media Days.
McHargue, offered his perspective on everything from quarterback rankings to coaching changes and the SEC’s chances of reclaiming the national championship.
Arch Manning enters the spotlight
No player will attract more attention in Tampa than Texas quarterback Arch Manning.
After a hype-filled up and down 2025 season, Manning enters 2026 once again as one of the favorites to win the Heisman Trophy and lead the Longhorns back to the College Football Playoff.
Texas QB Arch Manning vs Michigan:
— PFF College (@PFF_College) December 31, 2025
🤘 21/34
🤘 376 Total Yards
🤘 4 Touchdowns
🤘 0 Interceptions@TexasFootball https://t.co/dJE8L7P02A pic.twitter.com/4RexbXyph3
McHargue believes Manning showed noticeable growth throughout last season and expects that development to continue.
The discussion also touches on the pressure that comes with carrying one of college football’s most recognizable names and whether Texas has assembled enough talent around Manning to make another championship run.
Sam Leavitt could elevate LSU
One of the most intriguing conversations centers around LSU’s new quarterback, Sam Leavitt.
After starring at Arizona State, Leavitt arrives in Baton Rouge with enormous expectations, and McHargue believes the dual-threat quarterback possesses one of the most complete skill sets in the country.
This run by Sam Leavitt is insane pic.twitter.com/xLYBphMLaU
— Jay (@Jayxce) May 12, 2026
Beyond his arm talent and athleticism, McHargue points to Leavitt’s toughness, leadership and ability to create plays outside the structure of an offense as traits that make him an ideal fit.
The conversation also explores how Leavitt’s skill set complements Lane Kiffin’s offensive philosophy and why LSU enters the season as one of the SEC’s most dangerous teams.
Who are the SEC’s best quarterbacks?
Quarterback play remains the biggest storyline entering the season, and McHargue shares the group of signal-callers he believes belongs at the top of the conference.
The discussion includes:
- Arch Manning (Texas)
- Sam Leavitt (LSU)
- Gunner Stockton (Georgia)
- John Mateer (Oklahoma)
- Trinidad Chambliss (Ole Miss)
Byrum Brown is RUDE pic.twitter.com/E2m2haX0Ql
— Unnecessary Roughness (@UnnecRoughness) August 28, 2025
McHargue also discusses why Auburn’s Byrum Brown could become one of the breakout quarterbacks in the SEC this season and offers thoughts on Marcel Reed, LaNorris Sellers and Kamario Taylor.
Which new coaches are ready to win?
Several programs will enter SEC Media Days with new leadership, creating another fascinating storyline.
McHargue explains why he is especially high on Florida head coach Jon Sumrall and Auburn head coach Alex Golesh, believing both programs have hired coaches capable of building sustainable winners.
Can the SEC reclaim college football?
After the Big Ten has controlled the national championship conversation in recent years, another topic is whether the SEC is positioned to reclaim the top spot in the sport.
McHargue discusses the impact of the conference’s new nine-game schedule, College Football Playoff expansion and whether the SEC’s depth ultimately gives it an advantage over every other league.
