Texas Gets Another Shot at Ohio State With Arch Manning Seeking Different Ending

Ohio State has become a problem Texas can't seem to solve.

The Buckeyes ended the Longhorns' national championship pursuit following the 2024 season. Seven months later, they spoiled Arch Manning's first season opener as Texas' full-time starter.

Now, Texas gets another shot — and this time, Ohio State has to come to Austin.

No. 4 Texas Longhorns host No. 1 Ohio State on Saturday night at DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium in the third meeting between the programs in as many seasons.

For Manning, there isn't much nostalgia attached to the most recent one.

"It's a rough film to watch," Manning said this week. "I don't like watching it that much."

It's easy to understand why.

Manning completed 17 of 30 passes for 170 yards, one touchdown and one interception in Texas' 14-7 loss in Columbus last season. The Longhorns got the ball back with 2:26 remaining and a chance to tie the game, but their final possession ended on downs at midfield.

A year later, Manning gets another chance with a different group around him.

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Texas opened its season by dismantling Texas State 59-7. Manning completed 20 of 27 passes for 305 yards and four touchdowns with one interception, while his revamped receiving corps showed what it could become.

Ryan Wingo caught seven passes for 121 yards and a touchdown. Cam Coleman added three catches for 70 yards and two scores.

Ohio State didn't exactly spend Week 1 struggling, either.

The Buckeyes rolled past Ball State 56-3 behind 671 yards of offense. Julian Sayin threw for 320 yards and three touchdowns, while Jeremiah Smith caught eight passes for 151 yards and two scores.

Smith gives Texas an obvious problem to account for on every possession.

"We better know where No. 4 is on every snap," Steve Sarkisian said this week.

Texas has plenty of reasons to understand what's at stake.

Ohio State beat the Longhorns 28-14 in the College Football Playoff semifinal following the 2024 season, then followed it with last year's 14-7 win in Columbus.

Those two victories gave Ohio State a 3-2 advantage in the all-time series. Texas hasn't beaten the Buckeyes since its 24-21 Fiesta Bowl victory following the 2008 season.

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Saturday won't erase either of the last two losses.

It could change where this matchup goes from here.

Manning has another year behind him. Texas has Wingo and Coleman on the outside. And after having its season ended by Ohio State at a neutral site before walking into Columbus and losing again seven months later, Texas finally gets the Buckeyes on its field.

Week 1 showed what both teams can do when everything is working.

Saturday night is different.

No. 1 against No. 4. Ohio State trying to make it three straight. Texas trying to prove the third time can be different.

And this time, the Buckeyes have to do it in Austin.

Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. CT on ABC.