Arch Manning Era Looms as Texas Eyes National Title and No. 1 Spot in 2025
The Texas Longhorns are just steps away from competing for a college football national championship, with a highly anticipated showdown against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the College Football Playoff semifinals at the Cotton Bowl Classic. While the spotlight is firmly on their current title chase, Texas is already generating excitement for the future.
On3 Sports recently released its early top 10 rankings for the 2025 season, and Texas has claimed the No. 1 spot. The Longhorns are poised to lead college football as they build on their impressive debut season in the SEC. Notably, the next SEC contender on the list is the Georgia Bulldogs, who sit at No. 6, highlighting Texas’ rise as a powerhouse.
The Longhorns have thrived in 2024, compiling a 13-2 record and earning back-to-back victories in the College Football Playoff. However, the team faces a significant transition as star quarterback Quinn Ewers is widely expected to declare for the NFL Draft after the season.
Ewers’ departure opens the door for Arch Manning, the former No. 1 overall recruit from the 2023 class, to take the reins as Texas’ starting quarterback. Manning, the 6-foot-4 dual-threat signal-caller and heir to the legendary Manning football dynasty, has had limited but promising action during his time with the Longhorns. Over two seasons, Manning has recorded nine touchdown passes, 969 passing yards, and a 66.3% completion rate, while adding four rushing touchdowns and 107 yards on the ground.
As Texas prepares for the transition to the Manning era, expectations are sky-high. Manning’s arrival as the full-time starter in 2025 coincides with Texas’ meteoric rise as a national title contender. The Longhorns’ strong 2024 campaign, marked by their successful entry into SEC competition, has solidified their reputation as a program on the rise.
Before looking ahead, however, Texas must first focus on their semifinal clash against Ohio State at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Friday at 7:30 PM ET. The Longhorns enter the game as 6-point underdogs, according to ESPN BET, but their recent form and battle-tested roster suggest they are more than capable of pulling off an upset.
For now, all eyes are on Texas as they chase glory in the College Football Playoff. But with Arch Manning poised to lead the program into 2025, the Longhorns appear primed for sustained dominance in the years to come.
