Preseason No. 1 Texas faced a tough challenge in a pivotal early game against No. 3 Ohio State in Columbus, ultimately losing 14-7 in a hard-fought match. The Longhorns were aiming to make an impact on the road, but the Buckeyes’ defense was relentless, effectively neutralizing Texas quarterback Arch Manning during his first full-time start.

Ohio State demonstrated their prowess by executing two crucial fourth-down stops close to the goal line and intercepting one of Manning’s infrequent deep throws. Their strong performance reaffirmed their status as title contenders, leaving Texas with the need to regroup after a tightly contested opening game.

Despite this shaky beginning, it’s still early in the season. There’s no need for panic at this stage. No team’s season is over yet. The success of Manning and the offense in regaining their rhythm in terms of timing, execution, and consistency will determine whether the Longhorns can once again emerge as championship contenders.

What’s next for Texas?

The road ahead for Texas looks challenging after their slow start. They will return to Austin next week for a three-game home stretch, facing Group of Six teams San Jose State, UTEP, and Sam Houston State. These games present an opportunity for Manning and the offense to rebuild confidence before entering SEC play.

October will bring tougher opposition: a road match against Florida followed by the Red River Rivalry against Oklahoma. The adjustments made by Sarkisian’s squad after the missed opportunities against Ohio State will determine whether these upcoming matches help Texas get back into the national title conversation or pose further hurdles to their CFP ambitions.

As the season continues, four of the next five games will be against teams projected to be at the bottom of the SEC standings. Yet, the schedule also includes a notable clash against Georgia on November 15, a showdown that could significantly influence the Longhorns’ season goals.

The regular season will cap off with a Black Friday match against Texas A&M, a game that could indeed be critical to Texas’ playoff prospects, depending on their performance throughout the season.