How Ty Simpson and Arch Manning are helping each other prepare for Week 12 SEC matchups

Jan 1, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) warms up before the Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Ahead of this weekend’s SEC slate featuring ranked No. 4 Alabama hosting No. 11 Oklahoma and No. 10 Texas facing No. 5 Georgia in Athens, Arch Manning and Ty Simpson revealed in their respective player media availabilities that the two are helping each other out.

A day before Simpson’s media availability on Tuesday, Manning said to the media that he anticipates debriefing with Alabama QB Ty Simpson, who went on the road and beat Georgia earlier this season. He said they’ve exchanged info about mutual opponents previously.

Simpson was asked about Manning’s comment, and he cracked a smile with a bit of a chuckle.

“Arch has got a loudmouth, huh?” Simpson said. “That’s my guy. We talk weekly, not just about ball but how each other are doing. He’s a really good friend of mine.”

The two have been friends since middle school and worked out together a few times. Simpson said they have hung out outside of football, but now that they are two of the top quarterbacks in the SEC, the relationship has grown even stronger as they are able to talk ball and help with each other’s prep sometimes.

Simpson confirmed that when Texas plays a team that is on Alabama’s remaining schedule or vice versa, the two will talk about the game and share tips or ask questions about the other’s experience against the opponent.

Alabama defeated Georgia 24-21 earlier in the season, and Texas handled business in the Red River Rivalry, defeating Oklahoma 23-6.

“It was the Red River Rivalry, and it was a good game, so I asked him a couple questions,” Simpson said. “He asked me a couple questions about Vanderbilt and about Georgia. Just quarterback etiquette and just talking to one another just about like, ‘Hey, 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.”

This week will be the perfect week for the two to get together and chat as this weekend’s slate is full of SEC Championship implications. Oklahoma could throw an obstacle in Alabama’s path to the conference title game by handing the Crimson Tide their first conference loss, and the loser of the Georgia and Texas will have two conference losses, possibly preventing a trip to Atlanta.