College football is in the final stretch before the start of the 2025 season: the so-called “Week 0”, where the highlight is the game between Iowa State and Kansas State in Dublin, Ireland, will take place on August 23 and The Associated Press has released its preseason ranking with the surprise of placing Texas at number 1.
PUBLICIDAD
The vote of the 62 journalists and commentators resulted in the closest outcome since 1998, as the “Longhorns” narrowly defeated Penn State by just five points.
PUBLICIDAD
Why is Texas ranked number 1 in the college football preseason?
The excitement surrounding Texas is growing with Arch Manning as the undisputed starting quarterback. The team has experienced significant progress since the 5-7 record in 2021, the first season under coach Steve Sarkisian, who was previously the offensive coordinator at Alabama. Since then, they have won 25 of their last 30 games and reached two consecutive college football playoff semifinals.
Archibald “Arch” Manning is the third generation of the most important dynasty in American football: his grandfather Archie was a standout at Ole Miss and played 11 years in the NFL with the Saints, while his father Peyton and uncle Eli each won two Super Bowls. He is the son of Cooper Manning, a receiver at Ole Miss, who was unable to continue his playing career due to a health issue.
Since graduating from Isidore Newman School in New Orleans, the same high school as his parents and uncles, his development in Texas has been under the attention of specialized press.
In his first seasons, 2023 and 2024, he was a substitute for Quinn Ewers, although last year he won both games in which he started. With Ewers now in the NFL with the Miami Dolphins, Arch Manning will be the starter for Texas this season and that has raised the Longhorns’ stock because his leadership, driving skills, and game have been polished by his uncles and have many characteristics of a professional.
In fact, many were quick to say that Arch Manning would enroll in the 2026 NFL Draft, but were immediately stopped by grandfather Archie who assured that his grandson will complete his college stage in Texas, postponing his leap to professionalism until 2027 or 2028.
“This is a new year, new faces, new team, and obviously, the expectations are high for our program. I’m not naive about it,” said coach Sarkasian.
The season opener for Texas will be demanding, as on August 30th they will visit the current national champion and third-ranked team, Ohio State, in a rematch of last year’s College Football Playoff semifinal, where the Buckeyes won 28-14 in the Cotton Bowl.
This is the AP Preseason Top 25 ranking
- Texas
- Penn State
- Ohio State
- Clemson
- Georgia
- Notre Dame
- Oregon
- Alabama
- LSU
- Miami
- Arizona State
- Illinois
- South Carolina
- Michigan
- Florida
- SMU
- Kansas State
- Oklahoma
- Texas A&M
- Indiana
- Ole Miss
- Iowa State
- Texas Tech
- Tennessee
- Boise State