The 2025 college football season blasted off in style as the No. 1 Texas Longhorns squared off against the defending national champion and No. 3-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes in Columbus on August 30, 2025. It was a matchup loaded with star power, high stakes, and more than a few storylines that had fans and analysts buzzing for months. With both teams coming off impressive campaigns and loaded rosters, all eyes were glued to the field, eager to see which powerhouse would seize early momentum in the race for this year’s College Football Playoff.
For Ohio State, the pressure was palpable. The Buckeyes entered the season as reigning national champions for the first time since 2014, having capped off their title run with a 34-23 victory over Notre Dame. Under Ryan Day’s steady hand, Ohio State dominated the previous year’s playoff, winning by an average of 17.5 points per game. But as Day made clear in his pregame remarks, the past was in the rearview mirror. “You have to focus on what you can control,” Day said on ESPN’s College GameDay. “There are so many things that are out of your control. There are so many things that are going to come at you. And what you have to do is just focus on that, focus on the relationships in the building and what matters. And what matters is what we do in the stadium.”
That focus would be tested immediately. The Buckeyes’ Week 1 opponent was none other than Texas—a rematch of last season’s College Football Playoff semifinal, where Ohio State claimed a convincing 28-14 win. But this time, the stakes felt even higher, with both teams sporting fresh faces at quarterback and sky-high expectations. For Ohio State, the spotlight turned to Julian Sayin, a former five-star recruit and the No. 1 quarterback prospect in the Class of 2024. Making his first collegiate start, Sayin was tasked with leading the Buckeyes against the nation’s top-ranked team in front of a raucous home crowd.
On the other sideline, Texas had its own blue-chip signal-caller ready to take center stage. Arch Manning, the latest prodigy from football’s most famous family, was making his first full-season debut as the Longhorns’ starting quarterback. The grandson of Archie Manning and nephew of Peyton and Eli, Arch had already faced immense scrutiny and hype. Across his two seasons at Texas, Manning had appeared in 12 games, completing 63 of 95 passes for 969 yards, nine touchdowns, and two interceptions, while adding 115 rushing yards and four touchdowns on the ground. Yet, as the season dawned, questions lingered about whether Manning could translate his pedigree and potential into championship results for a program starved for national glory since 2005.
The anticipation for Manning’s performance reached a fever pitch thanks in part to the praise—and skepticism—heaped upon him by football luminaries. Former Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow, speaking on "The Paul Finebaum Show," was effusive in his assessment: “I really think that he has an extremely high floor. I think it’s one of the highest floors because he can do everything. And I’m excited to see where that ceiling is, because this is someone that, since he first put on a helmet, has had to deal with pressure because he’s a Manning.” Tebow also spotlighted Manning’s humility and team-first attitude, saying, “He’s had a lot of hype his whole life. But what I love about Arch is that, even with all the praise, he always puts the team first.”
But not everyone was convinced Manning would immediately light up the scoreboard against elite competition. ESPN analyst Jordan Rodgers was particularly blunt, predicting, “I think he’s going to go into Ohio State and he’s going to struggle, because he hasn’t played anybody.” Rodgers pointed to Manning’s limited experience against top defenses, referencing his rough outing against Georgia last season—where he completed just 3 of 6 passes for 19 yards and was sacked twice—as evidence that the young quarterback still had plenty to learn. “The last time we saw him against a really good defense was Georgia, and he looked out of place,” Rodgers said. “He looked really good against UTSA, Louisiana-Monroe and Mississippi State – the worst defense in the SEC. I think there’s still a lot for him to grow and a lot we need to see.”
As the game unfolded in Columbus, the early narrative seemed to favor the skeptics. By halftime, Texas trailed Ohio State 7-0, and Manning’s debut as the full-time starter was, frankly, a bit shaky. He completed 5 of 10 passes for just 26 yards, with no touchdowns or interceptions. While Manning showed flashes of his dual-threat ability by picking up two first downs on the ground, he was also sacked once and missed his very first pass attempt, which skipped into the dirt. On a crucial fourth-down read option, he handed the ball off rather than keeping it himself, resulting in a turnover on downs—a decision that drew scrutiny from commentators and fans alike.
Ohio State’s defense, led by standout safety Caleb Downs, lived up to its billing. The Buckeyes’ coverage was tight, and their pass rush forced Manning into quick decisions and some errant throws. Still, there were opportunities for the Longhorns, but the offense—led by their new quarterback—couldn’t quite capitalize. As one analyst put it, “The hype doesn’t match the tape. There are good things. There are some good things. But the tape, to me, doesn’t tell you you’ve got a first-round draft pick or a top-10 or No. 1 overall draft pick, or a Heisman hopeful.”
Meanwhile, on the other side of the field, Julian Sayin appeared more poised in his own debut. Despite some dropped passes by star wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, Sayin completed 6 of 11 passes for 53 yards, making several impressive throws under pressure. He looked confident in the pocket, even with Texas star linebacker Colin Simmons bearing down on him. Sayin’s ability to keep his composure and execute the offense gave Ohio State the edge heading into the second half.
Yet, it’s far too early to write off Arch Manning or the Longhorns. As the second half loomed, Texas still had time to adjust, regroup, and mount a comeback. The stakes remained sky-high—not just for the outcome of a single game, but for the narratives that would shape the rest of the college football season. Would Manning rise to the occasion and silence the doubters? Could Sayin continue his strong play and keep the Buckeyes’ championship hopes alive?
With the action ongoing in Columbus, the football world waits with bated breath to see which young quarterback will seize the moment and set the tone for what promises to be an unforgettable season. One thing’s for sure: in a clash loaded with history, talent, and expectation, there are no guarantees—only the thrill of the chase and the drama of college football at its finest.
