Arch Manning brings No. 16 back to Tennessee as Peyton roots for Texas QB: How Vols fans forecast reception

For the first time in almost 30 years, a Manning wearing No. 16 will take the field in Neyland Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

The difference is that Arch Manning will be wearing a darker shade of orange than his uncle, Peyton, and he will get a much different reception from the home crowd.

In the days leading up to No. 1 Texas vs. No. 14 Tennessee, there will be a lot of talk about the Manning family connections. After all, Arch's uncle is one of eight players in Vols history to have his number retired — and it just happens to be the one that Arch himself wears.

Peyton made some headlines over the summer when he admitted that his allegiance to Tennessee would be on hold for this game while he roots for his nephew's success, and Steve Sarkisian addressed the Manning of it all at his Monday press conference.

The question is whether that actually matters in 2026. It's been 29 years since Peyton walked off the field at Neyland Stadium for the final time as a player, which means an entire generation of fans grew up without watching him play in a Tennessee uniform. Then again, as…

Original source: https://www.cbssports.com/