Arch Manning’s explosive offense and a relentless defense fueled a lopsided victory, but early defensive lapses raise critical questions before the Longhorns host powerhouse Ohio State.
There are worse ways to begin a season than winning by 52 points.
No. 5 Texas dismantled Texas State 59-7 Saturday, giving the Longhorns plenty to feel good about after one week.
There were still a few cracks beneath the blowout, and Ohio State's arrival in Austin next Saturday gives every takeaway from the opener a much different standard.
Here are our winners, losers and overreactions from Texas' season-opening rout.
WINNER: RYAN WINGO
If Arch Manning needed a go-to target entering 2026, Ryan Wingo made a pretty convincing opening argument.
Wingo caught seven passes for 121 yards and a touchdown, becoming the first Texas receiver Manning targeted when the Longhorns faced fourth-and-3 on their second possession.
He converted it, caught a 21-yarder two plays later and finished the drive with an 8-yard touchdown.
Texas added Cam Coleman to an already talented receiving room this offseason. Week 1 belonged to Wingo.
WINNER: HOLLYWOOD SMOTHERS
Texas' first offensive snap of the season went 45 yards.
That was Hollywood Smothers' introduction to 2026.
Smothers finished with 70 rushing yards on 10 carries and later caught a 13-yard touchdown from Manning. Raleek Brown scored twice on the ground, too, giving Texas several intriguing options in the backfield.
Smothers' combination of explosiveness and versatility made him the standout of the group Saturday.
WINNER: TEXAS' TURNOVER MACHINE
Texas has now forced a turnover in 24 consecutive home games, the longest active streak in the FBS.
The Longhorns added three more Saturday and made each one hurt.
Rasheem Biles forced the fumble Graceson Littleton returned 59 yards for a touchdown. Maraad Watson later forced another fumble, recovered by Colin Simmons, before Biles intercepted Brad Jackson on Texas State's following possession.
All three takeaways resulted in Texas touchdowns.
That's 21 points created by the defense.
LOSER: FIRST-HALF DEFENSIVE CONSISTENCY
A seven-point performance looks nearly flawless on the scoreboard.
The route there had a few more bumps.
Texas State put together an 82-yard possession spanning the first two quarters before missing a 24-yard field goal, then went 75 yards for its lone touchdown.
The Bobcats finished with 349 total yards despite scoring once.
Texas tightened everything after halftime and kept Texas State scoreless the rest of the way. With Ohio State coming next, those first-half explosives provide Steve Sarkisian and his staff with plenty to address.
OVERREACTION: TEXAS IS READY TO BEAT OHIO STATE
Here we go again.
Manning threw for 305 yards and four touchdowns. Texas scored 59. The defense forced three turnovers. Everything looks great heading into one of the biggest games on the schedule.
Texas State also represents a very different challenge than the one arriving in Austin.
Ohio State has beaten Texas in consecutive seasons, first in the College Football Playoff semifinal following the 2024 season and again in Columbus last year.
Saturday gave Texas plenty of reasons for confidence.
Next Saturday tells us how much of it was justified.
