Up next in our countdown is the No. 3 team, with the remaining spots set to be unveiled in the days ahead. No. 3 Texas enters 2025 coming off a 13–3 campaign, boasting +475 odds to win the national championship and -310 odds to reach the College Football Playoff.
In 2024, Texas opened 6-0, highlighted by dominant wins over Michigan (31-12) and Oklahoma (34-3), though neither proved playoff-caliber. The first real test came Oct. 19, when Georgia’s defense stifled the Longhorns in a 30-15 loss. Texas rebounded with five straight victories to reach the SEC title game, only to fall 22-19 to Georgia again—this time without Carson Beck for the second half. Despite the setback, Texas thrived in the postseason, winning two playoff games before meeting eventual champion Ohio State in the national semifinals, where the Buckeyes prevailed 28-14. The season cemented Texas as an elite contender despite falling short of a title.
Arch Manning enters his first year as Texas’ full-time starter under a spotlight rarely seen in modern college football. The anticipation surrounding him is immense, with expectations so high that he opens the season as the Heisman Trophy favorite at +600 despite having fewer than 100 career collegiate pass attempts.
Most of that limited experience came early in 2024, when he stepped in for Quinn Ewers after an oblique injury. Manning’s debut against UTSA was electric completing 9 of 12 passes for 223 yards and four touchdowns, while adding 53 rushing yards and a score on just three carries instantly fueling the national hype.
Manning’s first two starts in 2024 were a mixed bag. In his debut against Louisiana-Monroe, he delivered a modest performance, completing 15 of 29 passes for 258 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions in a 51-3 win. The following week against Mississippi State, however, he showcased his potential, going 26-of-31 for 325 yards and two touchdowns while adding 33 rushing yards and a score.
He also saw action in Texas’ first loss to Georgia, entering late in the first half as coach Steve Sarkisian searched for a spark. Instead, Georgia’s defense stifled him, limiting him to 3-of-6 passing for 19 yards and forcing a fumble that set up a Bulldogs field goal. With Quinn Ewers now in the NFL, Manning fully takes the reins in what is expected to be the first of two seasons as Texas’ starting quarterback. At SEC Media Days, he emphasized his growth as a vocal leader a role his grandfather Archie hinted he’s ready to embrace.
Arch reflected on his time as a backup, noting that while the past two years weren’t always easy, they earned him a great deal of respect from his teammates. Now stepping into a more vocal leadership role, he believes his words carry weight, as players understand his feedback comes from a place of care rather than criticism.
With Texas losing its top three pass-catchers from 2024—Matthew Golden, Gunnar Helm, and Isaiah Bond—who collectively surpassed 500 receiving yards each and accounted for over half the team’s receiving touchdowns, sophomore Ryan Wingo is poised to step into the spotlight. As a freshman, Wingo made an impact with 29 receptions for 472 yards and two touchdowns, while also showcasing versatility in the run game. He tallied five carries for 100 yards, highlighted by a 55-yard burst against Michigan in Week 2, signaling his potential as both a dynamic receiver and an explosive playmaker.
The former four-star prospect will line up alongside DeAndre Moore Jr. on the outside, while five-star freshman Kaliq Lockett is expected to challenge for snaps and add even more depth to Texas’ receiving corps.
Best Position Group: Linebackers
Texas’ linebacker corps is anchored by Anthony Hill, who was a dominant force in 2024 with 113 tackles, eight sacks, and an interception. A clear All-American candidate, Hill is expected to again pace the team in tackles while setting the tone for the defense.
Alongside him, Liona Lefau returns after recording 63 tackles last season, and Jelani McDonald is poised for an expanded role following a 33-tackle freshman campaign. With quality depth behind the starters, this unit was an easy pick as the strongest position group on what could be an elite Texas defense.
Biggest Game: Oct. 11 vs. Oklahoma
While the season opener at Ohio State and the late-season trip to Georgia are marquee matchups, the Red River Rivalry stands out as the most pivotal contest for Texas. The Longhorns could conceivably drop both high-profile road games and still contend for the SEC title and a playoff berth, but losing to Oklahoma as well would make that path far more difficult. This clash in Dallas could ultimately determine Texas’ control of its SEC championship destiny.
The Oklahoma matchup falls in the middle of a grueling four-game road stretch for Texas. The Longhorns visit Florida on Oct. 4, then face the Sooners in Dallas, followed by trips to Kentucky and Mississippi State. They won’t return home until an Oct. 25 matchup against Vanderbilt.
Oklahoma is expected to be much stronger in 2025, posing a tougher challenge for Texas. A win is crucial not only for the rivalry’s bragging rights but also for keeping the Longhorns’ hopes alive for securing a first-round bye in the College Football Playoff.
Texas lands at No. 3 largely because of its defense, not just the buzz around Arch Manning and the offense. Steve Sarkisian called this “probably the deepest and most talented defense” of his tenure, noting the unit’s steady growth over the past four years. He emphasized that championships are built on defense and believes this year’s squad has the talent and depth to prove it.
Texas’ defense could be the difference-maker in its Week 1 matchup against Ohio State, especially with the Buckeyes breaking in an inexperienced quarterback and facing more defensive turnover than the Longhorns. In 2024, Texas allowed just over 15 points per game and limited opponents to 283 yards per contest — a mark bettered only by Ohio State and Indiana. With that level of balance and efficiency, the Longhorns enter 2025 as a well-rounded contender aiming squarely for a top-four College Football Playoff seed.
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