This was supposed to be the year for Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning.
After backing up Quinn Ewers to start his career, Manning finally has the starting job to himself with Ewers off to the NFL.
The heir to the Manning throne entered the season viewed by many as college football’s best player. Heading into the Longhorns’ opener against the Ohio State Buckeyes last week, Manning was +600 to win the Heisman Trophy, the best odds in the country. Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik and LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier trailed just behind at +900.
Manning’s Longhorns also entered the season as the top-ranked team in the country, while the defending national champion Buckeyes came in ranked third.
ESPN Insider Provides Advice for Arch Manning
Unfortunately for Manning, things did not go as planned. The Buckeyes’ defense dominated the game, shutting out Texas until the 3:28 mark in the fourth quarter, when Manning found Parker Livingstone for a 32-yard touchdown. Ohio State won 14-7. Manning finished 17-of-30 for 170 yards with one touchdown and one interception, and he picked up 38 yards on 10 carries.
Manning does have plenty of time to turn things around. Just look at the Buckeyes, who lost two regular-season games — including a season-ending defeat at the hands of rival Michigan — before going on to win the national championship last year.
Appearing on ESPN’s College Football Live, insider Pete Thamel discussed Manning’s debut.
What’s next for Texas? Stay away from @orangebloods_, Arch Manning. A look at what we can glean from the Texas opener. pic.twitter.com/gCSJUTcWyz
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) September 2, 2025
“I don’t know if I’m going to reason with the folks at Orangebloods,” Thamel joked, referencing perhaps the biggest website for Texas fans.
Thamel said Saturday’s crowd in the Shoe was one of the best he has ever seen.
“I was at Columbus on Saturday for that game,” Thamel said. “That was the most raucous I’ve seen Ohio Stadium in the 22 years I’ve been going to games there.”
According to Thamel, it’s normal for nerves to get to someone in that type of atmosphere — even a Manning.
“It was an electric environment, and my biggest takeaway from Arch Manning is that no matter what your last name is and no matter what your genetics are, he is still a human being,” Thamel said. “And he came out nervous, and he came out a little jumpy. He skipped that first ball, and he was just okay. The play-calling, certainly on the goal line and inside the 10, did not help him, and I think he’s going to be just fine.”
Thamel said everyone needs to slow down on Manning and let him develop like any other first-time starter. Manning started two games last season while Ewers was injured.
“So the coronation can end, and I think the logical, normal learning curve for a young starting quarterback can begin,” Thamel added. “He is certainly a promising prospect — he now just has to go prove it.”
Manning admitted he forced a few passes when he probably should have tucked the ball and run, specifically on a late third-quarter pass that was intercepted by Buckeyes defensive back Jermaine Mathews Jr. in Ohio State territory.
“I forced it,” Manning said. “I should have taken off and made a play with my feet.”
Manning will get the chance to start turning his season around when the Longhorns host San Jose State on Saturday at noon. After matchups with UTEP on Sept. 13 and Sam Houston on Sept. 20, Texas will face its next real test Oct. 4 at the Swamp against DJ Lagway and the Florida Gators.
