Arch Manning's Heisman Hopes Dashed After Tough Loss to Ohio State

On August 30, 2025, the highly anticipated matchup between the top-ranked Texas Longhorns and No. 3 Ohio State ended in a 14-7 upset victory for the Buckeyes. Arch Manning, the Longhorns' star quarterback, struggled for most of the game, completing 17 of 30 passes for 170 yards with one touchdown and one interception.

The loss was a significant blow to Manning's Heisman Trophy aspirations, as he was widely expected to be one of the frontrunners for the prestigious award. Fans quickly recalled the comments made by SEC analyst Paul Finebaum earlier in the year, who had suggested that Manning was the best signal-caller in college football since Tim Tebow, who won the Heisman Trophy in 2006.

The resurfaced Finebaum comments led to a wave of criticism from fans, with many slamming the analyst for his overhyped assessment of Manning's abilities. "How long until people stop listening to Paul Finebaum in big 2025? He's an absolute idiot," one fan tweeted, while another added, "Don't ever mention Arch Manning and Tim Tebow in the same sentence again."

Despite the tough loss, Manning and the Longhorns will look to bounce back when they face San Jose State on September 6. The game will be played at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium in Texas, and the Longhorns will be the favorites to win. However, another defeat could certainly harm their chances of making the College Football Playoff.