Alabama QB Ty Simpson Exchanging Tips With Texas QB Arch Manning

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - Earlier in the week, Texas quarterback Arch Manning shared that he and Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson will occasionally share intel on mutual opponents between the Crimson Tide and the Longhorns, with Manning asking Simpson for tips on how to defeat the Georgia Bulldogs.

Simpson and Alabama went on the road and defeated Georgia 24-21 in late September, and now, Manning and Texas are tasked with doing the same. Additionally, Texas defeated the Oklahoma Sooners 23-6 in the Red River Rivalry in October.

Now, No. 4 Alabama prepares to face No. 12 Oklahoma, and No. 11 Texas prepares for No. 5 Georgia in two monumental games for all four programs involved. Simpson has been one of the best quarterbacks in the country so far this season, completing 66.9% of his passes for 2,842 yards and 21 touchdowns. In the Tide's victory over Georgia, Simpson completed 63.2% of his passes for 276 yards and two touchdowns (he also had a rushing score). Manning started the season slower, but has improved with more playing time, completing 62.7% of his passes for 2,123 yards and 18 touchdowns.

On Tuesday, Simpson confirmed that he and Manning share points on mutual teams, but explained that their relationship goes beyond the gridiron.

"Arch has got a loud mouth, huh?" responded Simpson on Tuesday. "No, that's my guy, right? 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 - who did Texas play before us? - They played somebody, and we had talked before, and of course, the Red River Rivalry, and it was a good game. So I asked him a couple of questions, and he asked me a couple questions about Vanderbilt and about Georgia. Just quarterback etiquette and talking to one another about, 'Hey, what did you see? What did they do here?' And just about plays and fronts in general. Just stuff that we talk about, not just as friends, but as quarterbacks as well."

Manning completed 77.8% of his passes for 166 yards and one touchdown in the Longhorns' victory over the Sooners on October 11. Simpson revealed that their relationship dates back to their days in middle school.

"No, me and Arch have been friends for a very long time," Simpson said. "We had to be in middle school. We worked out together a couple times, and of course, we had a ton of respect for each other, just because of us being two of the best quarterbacks and how similar we are. We just love ball and so we'll hang out outside of football. He's a nut. I could tell ya'll some stories, and he could tell you some stories about me. But that's my guy. A ton of respect to him and his family and his brother, he's a really good friend. He's a really good friend to have."

Manning and Simpson reunited this summer at the Manning Passing Academy, but Simpson kept his best stories with Manning close to the vest on Tuesday.

"I can't tell you that on camera. There's a lot. When he came here, it was fun. It was like a movie, coming here and seeing him a a recruit, and then being at the Manning Passing Academy where he's from. So year, we can't talk about it."

No. 4 Alabama will host No. 12 Oklahoma this Saturday at 2:30 p.m., meanwhile, No. 11 Texas will travel to No. 5 Georgia at 6:30 p.m.

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Wyatt Fulton is the Tide 100.9 DME and Brand Manager, primarily covering Alabama Crimson Tide football and men's basketball. For more Crimson Tide coverage, follow Wyatt on X (Formerly known as Twitter) at @FultonW_.