Ohio State is heading into Week 2 with one very clear issue to sort out: Arch Manning.
The Buckeyes and Longhorns are set for a top-five clash that already carries the feel of a statement game, and it’s a rematch from last season’s opener. Back then, Ohio State beat Texas at home and set the Longhorns on a strange path the rest of the year.
Manning, then still a young quarterback trying to find his footing, had a rough night. He finished with 170 passing yards, one touchdown and one interception, and the Buckeyes’ defense kept him under pressure for most of the game.
That version of Manning is not the one Ohio State is preparing for now.
Before the matchup, college football analyst Desmond Howard laid out why the Longhorns quarterback could be a very different problem this time around.
"It was all on Arch. Arch was in his own head a year ago when they played Ohio State in Columbus.
I think he started to turn a corner around Week 5; he started to play better. And he ended last season very strong.
With that being said, if he is able to pick up where he left off a year ago, I think this offense is going to be great. Don't forget, they added a lot of pieces to the offense too…I think now Arch has all the pieces, all the tools; he should be fine," Howard said.
That’s the warning for Ohio State: this isn’t just about what happened a year ago. Manning is in a different spot now, and Texas has more help around him on offense. That matters even more with this game moving to Austin, where the Longhorns will have a very different setting than the Buckeyes had in Columbus last season.
Ohio State still enters the matchup as the No. 1 team in the country, and the Buckeyes will be looking to back that up against one of the best teams on the schedule. A road win over Texas would leave no question about how strong this Ohio State group really is.
In Other News...
Ohio State's Playoff Path Suddenly Looks Better Than Fans Expected
A dominant win over Ball State did more than pad Ohio States record, it helped clear a little more room in the playoff picture as other top teams around the country delivered mixed results. That kind of early-season movement matters for a Buckeyes team that entered the year with big expectations and is now watching the national board closely, knowing every Saturday can shift both perception and postseason positioning.
The bigger test, of course, is still ahead, and this weeks slate offers plenty of chances for the playoff race to get scrambled again. Games like Missouri vs. Kansas, Oregon vs. Oklahoma State, Oklahoma vs. Michigan, Alabama vs. Kentucky and Arizona vs. BYU all carry some level of ripple effect for Ohio State, whether it is about opponent strength, conference standing or the broader pecking order the Buckeyes are trying to navigate. [Read more 🡒]
Ohio State Texas Hype Just Reached Another Level Before Kickoff
The buildup to Texas and Ohio State already had the feel of a heavyweight event, and ESPNs College GameDay only added to it Saturday morning. Before the No. 4 Longhorns face the No. 1 Buckeyes in a rematch of last years meeting, a fan named Connor stepped into the field goal challenge and turned the pregame stage into something even bigger.
Connor won $1.2 million on the kick, with the prize set to be split between him and a charity called Building Tomorrow. It was the kind of moment that reminded everyone why these marquee matchups carry more than just rankings and records, with the spotlight stretching well beyond the sideline as kickoff approaches. [Read more 🡒]
Lee Corso Update Will Hit Florida State Fans Right In The Heart
Lee Corso has stayed close to the college football world even after stepping away from ESPNs College GameDay, and his recent reunion with Kirk Herbstreit in Orlando was another reminder of how much he still means to the sport. Corso retired after the 2025 season, ending a run that included one final headgear pick in Columbus, and since then his public appearances have been rare enough to feel like events, from an honor at Florida State to this latest catch-up with a longtime broadcast partner.
Herbstreits update carried the familiar mix of admiration and concern that has followed Corsos post-retirement moments. The former analyst may be dealing with the wear and tear that comes with age, but he has remained engaged with the game and still commands the affection of fans and colleagues who grew up with his personality on Saturdays. For Florida State fans, the sight of Corso back in the conversation is the kind of touchpoint that hits home, especially with his place in college football history already secure. [Read more 🡒]