Arch Manning may help Alabama get a victory after all.
The Texas QB was once highly coveted by Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide on the recruiting trail - along with literally every other school in the country - but he ultimately chose to take his talent and pedigree to Austin instead of Tuscaloosa.
But Manning could ultimately prove to be Alabama's secret weapon this weekend against Oklahoma thanks to a close relationship with Tide QB Ty Simpson.
Manning let it slip earlier in the week that he and Simpson spoke about mutual opponents, and Simpson expanded on their relationship after practice on Tuesday.
“That’s my guy," Simpson said about Manning. "We talk weekly, not just about ball but how each other’s doing. He’s a really good friend of mine. I know he played somebody, and we had talked before, then of course, the Red River Rivalry was a good game. I asked him a couple questions, and he asked me a couple questions about Vanderbilt and about Georgia. Just kind of, quarterback etiquette, talking to one another about, ‘What did you see? What did they do here?’ Just about plays and fronts in general. Stuff that we talk about, not just as friends, but quarterbacks as well.”
According to Simpson, his relationship with Manning goes back to middle school. Simpson called Manning a "good friend to have," something that could ring even truer this weekend when the Sooners come to Tuscaloosa.
Arch Manning's advice could be pivotal for Ty Simpson's prep for the Oklahoma game
Manning led Texas to a 23-6 win over Oklahoma in this year's Red River Rivalry in Dallas. Facing a ton of criticism and heat from a 4-2 start, Manning delivered against the rival Sooners. He completed 21-of-27 passes for 166 yards and a touchdown. He also added 34 yards on the ground.
Oklahoma boasts one of the nation's best and stingiest defenses, so every little bit of additional help Simpson can get is useful. This will be, statistically, the best defense Alabama has faced all season. Oklahoma ranks 3rd in the nation in opponent yards per play.
Head coach Brent Venables is one of the top defensive minds in the country, and Oklahoma is salty up front. Alabama's offensive line will need its best game in order to find any success whatsoever offensively.
This will be a perfect measuring stick game for the Crimson Tide. If Simpson and company can find success against Oklahoma, they should be able to find success against Ohio State and any other defense they might face in the College Football Playoff.