Texas starts the season ranked No. 1 for the first time in program history and a betting favorite to win the national championship.

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.

There’s so much speculation about Texas quarterback Arch Manning’s future, in the media and even within his own family, that it can be hard for him to keep up.

Arch Manning is getting a lot of preseason hype. ESPN's Joey Galloway explains why he's taking a cautious approach to the hoopla.

Alabama didn’t hold back in its attempt to land Arch Manning. Then-Crimson Tide defensive coordinator Pete Golding referenced Texas coach Steve Sarkisian’s battles with alcoholism in an attempt to send the prodigy to Tuscaloosa over Austin, as detailed in the upcoming book, “American Kings: A Biography of the Quarterback” by Seth Wickersham.

The Manning name goes a long way — even for college football bettors. Top-ranked Texas is favored to win the national championship, which would be its first since Vince Young dashed into the Rose Bowl end zone two decades ago to upset Southern California.

Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning had a unique experience as a recruit. Despite being the most famous high school player in the nation, Arch's recruitment was remarkably quiet. The Manning family did its best to let Arch experience life as a "normal" high school student.

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.