LIVE FROM AUSTIN: Arch Manning Era Begins as Texas Eyes SEC, National Title Run
AUSTIN, TX – The Texas Longhorns came painfully close to a College Football Playoff National Championship appearance in 2024, finishing with a 13-3 record after victories over Clemson and Arizona State. But as the dust settles on last season, the attention now shifts to the future—and that future is Arch Manning.
Throughout Texas’ playoff run, a debate swirled among fans and analysts—should Quinn Ewers have been benched in favor of Manning, the highly touted nephew of Peyton and Eli Manning? Despite some calls for a change, Ewers remained the starter, with Manning seeing limited action, registering just four carries in the postseason.
Now, with Ewers off to the NFL, Manning is officially the face of the program. And expectations? They’re sky-high.
Texas’ 2025 Outlook: High Expectations for Manning & the Longhorns
According to FanDuel, the Manning-led Longhorns have been set at 9.5 wins for the 2025 season. If Texas hits the over, meaning at least 10 wins, it would mark the first time since 2007-09 that the program has strung together three consecutive seasons of double-digit victories.
Beyond just regular-season success, Texas is also the favorite to win the SEC (+210) and holds the second-best odds to win the national title (+650)—trailing only Ohio State (+600).
If Manning delivers a national championship, it would be Texas’ first since Vince Young led the Longhorns past USC in 2005. And with the 2026 NFL Draft on the horizon, a title run could also propel Manning into contention for the No. 1 overall pick, a spot he’d likely already be in if he were eligible for this year’s draft.
A Tough First Test in Columbus
Manning’s first official start won’t be a warm-up game—it will be a high-stakes showdown. The Longhorns open their season on August 30 with a road trip to Columbus to face Ohio State.
A Texas win could set the tone for a historic season, but it won’t come easy. All eyes will be on Manning as he takes center stage, officially leading the Longhorns into a new era.
