After Falling to Ohio State, What’s Next for the Texas Longhorns?
The Texas Longhorns entered the 2025 season with sky-high expectations, headlined by quarterback Arch Manning and a roster that many believed had College Football Playoff potential. However, after a highly anticipated opener against the Ohio State Buckeyes, those hopes took an immediate hit. The Longhorns fell 14-7 to the Buckeyes, and Manning’s performance, while not catastrophic, raised questions about whether this team is truly ready for the national stage. The good news is the Longhorns still have time to improve before their Week Two matchup against the San Jose Spartans this Saturday, September 6th, at the DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Texas. Better news: Despite their loss against the Buckeyes in their season-opening matchup, the Longhorns are still ranked number one in the FPI Rankings list.
Arch Manning’s Floundering Debut
The start of Manning’s era wasn’t disastrous, but it fell short of the sky-high expectations that have followed him since his five-star recruitment. Manning completed 17 of 30 passes for 170 yards, one touchdown, and one interception, numbers that reflect moments of promise mixed with hesitancy. At times, Manning looked unsure under pressure, especially against Ohio State’s aggressive pass rush, taking sacks and missing open reads. Head coach Steve Sarkisian emphasized postgame that Manning remains the starter and that this is only the beginning of the season. For Texas fans, the message should be clear: this is a long-term investment, not a finished product. The Longhorns need Manning to develop quickly, but the key will be progress, not perfection.
Course Correction: Where Texas Must Improve
The loss to Ohio State stings, but it’s far from a death blow to Texas’ season. While the game exposed flaws in the team’s protection breakdowns, missed tackles, and conservative play calling. These aren’t signs of a broken system; they’re correctable execution issues. The season has only just started for the Longhorns, and Texas still has a valuable chance to regroup, experiment, and gain confidence. If Arch Manning can reflect on his early mistakes and the offensive line settles into a more cohesive unit, the Longhorns have a real opportunity to reestablish rhythm. A strong rebound would not only restore momentum but also reassure fans that Week One was a stumble, not a spiral. How Texas responds now may determine whether they stay in the playoff picture or watches it from the sidelines.
