Arch Manning, Texas must recalibrate season expectations

It’s time for the Associated Press No. 9 Texas Longhorns to embrace their new reality.

Texas entered 2025 with the loftiest of goals, hoping to contend for a national title and send quarterback Arch Manning to New York for December’s Heisman Trophy ceremony. But less than halfway through the regular season, the Longhorns must recalibrate expectations.

On Saturday, Texas (3-2, 0-1 in SEC) lost at the Florida Gators (2-3, 1-1 in SEC), 29-21.

Texas must readjust as season goes off the rails

The season is no longer about winning a national title. Instead, the Longhorns simply need to see growth from Manning, who has fallen well short of the massive hype bestowed upon him ahead of the year.

Against Florida, Manning was 16-of-29 for 263 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. While his arm strength isn’t a question, Manning’s accuracy on downfield shots has been suspect. Manning also struggled in high-leverage situations, converting just twice on seven third-down pass attempts.

The Gators defense was always going to be a tough challenge, but Manning still managed to disappoint. The Longhorns punted on four of their first seven possessions and finished with as many three-and-outs as scoring drives (three). They didn’t help their unproven quarterback in the run game, either, ending the loss with 52 yards on 26 carries (two yards per attempt).

While other quarterbacks might be able to mask those weaknesses, Manning’s inconsistency has accentuated them. Concerningly, he arguably played his worst in the fourth when Texas needed him most as it tried to mount a comeback, ending the quarter 5-of-11 for 94 yards and two interceptions while also losing 23 yards on four sacks.

The season can still get worse from here. Next weekend, Texas plays No. 5 Oklahoma Sooners (5-0, 1-0 in SEC) in the Red River Rivalry. Entering Week 6, the Sooners ranked third in the country in scoring defense (nine points per game), and they shut out Kent State (1-4, 0-1 in MAC), 44-0, on Saturday.

The Longhorns also have to travel to No. 12 Georgia (4-1, 2-1 in SEC) later this year and end the season against No. 6 Texas A&M (4-0, 1-0 in SEC).

If Texas still thinks it can compete for a national title, it will be severely disappointed. Instead of setting its aim so high, the Longhorns should make sure Manning is building the right habits for the future, when a championship is more realistic. Considering how rough things have gone so far, that will be difficult enough.