The 2025 College Football Playoff and Arch Manning’s Path to Stardom

As college football continues to evolve, the rise of elite quarterbacks is more critical than ever. In the 2025 season, all eyes are on Arch Manning, the highly anticipated Texas Longhorns quarterback, and how his performance will shape the College Football Playoff (CFP) race. With the future of the sport leaning heavily on the shoulders of quarterbacks, Manning’s journey through the season has sparked interest from fans, analysts, and scouts alike. As the 2025 season approaches, predictions for the College Football Playoff are dominated by the expectations surrounding Manning, the Longhorns, and the programs that will battle for supremacy.

The Arrival of Arch Manning: A New Era for Texas Football

Arch Manning, the 6’4” five-star recruit out of New Orleans, Louisiana, has been at the center of college football’s recruiting landscape for years. As the nephew of NFL legends Peyton and Eli Manning, Arch’s lineage is a source of significant attention and expectation. However, the hype surrounding him isn’t simply about his family ties—it’s about his prodigious talent. Manning comes to Texas after a storied high school career at Isidore Newman High School, where he dazzled with his arm strength, accuracy, and poise under pressure.

The Texas Longhorns program, led by head coach Steve Sarkisian, has undergone a major transformation in recent years. After a period of mediocrity following the Mack Brown era, the Longhorns have been climbing back toward prominence. Sarkisian’s offensive schemes have garnered attention for their innovative approach, and the addition of Arch Manning has only heightened expectations for a program that has struggled to reclaim its former glory.

Arch’s arrival has sparked a renewed sense of optimism in Austin, Texas. The Longhorns enter the 2025 season with one of the most highly anticipated quarterback prospects in recent memory, and Manning’s success or failure will be a key factor in determining whether Texas can reassert itself as a national powerhouse.

The Texas Longhorns’ Road to the College Football Playoff

The path to the College Football Playoff is never straightforward, and the Longhorns’ journey to the 2025 CFP will be filled with challenges. Texas competes in the Big 12 Conference, which, in recent years, has been dominated by Oklahoma, but the conference is in a state of flux with the impending departures of Oklahoma and Texas to the Southeastern Conference (SEC). The Big 12’s lack of top-tier competition in comparison to other power conferences has raised questions about the strength of the league, but that’s also an opportunity for Texas to build a strong playoff resume.

For the Longhorns to make the playoff in 2025, their journey must include:

1. An Elite Offensive Performance with Arch Manning at the Helm: Arch Manning is expected to be the catalyst for Texas’ offense. If he can adapt to the speed of college football quickly and perform at the level many expect him to, the Longhorns will have the offensive firepower to compete with the best teams in the country. His ability to connect with talented receivers like Xavier Worthy and Jordan Whittington, as well as hand the ball off to star running back Jonathon Brooks, will be crucial in the Longhorns’ push for a CFP spot.
2. A Dominant Offensive Line: Texas boasts a powerful offensive line, and protecting Manning will be a priority. Manning’s success will depend largely on whether he gets the time he needs in the pocket. If the offensive line can dominate up front, it will open up opportunities for both the passing and running game, allowing Texas to keep opponents guessing and execute at a high level.
3. A Tough and Balanced Defense: While the offense will get much of the attention, Texas’ defense will need to show up and make key stops. Defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski has been tasked with leading a defense that has the talent to be elite, but the Longhorns must prove they can consistently shut down high-powered offenses. Players like linebacker Jaylan Ford and defensive lineman Alfred Collins will need to step up, especially in critical moments. The ability to limit big plays and capitalize on turnovers will be crucial for Texas as they face teams like Oklahoma, Kansas State, and Baylor within the Big 12.
4. Overcoming Big 12 Rivals: While Texas is favored to contend for a CFP spot, they will have to navigate a tricky Big 12 schedule. The Longhorns will face off against several conference foes who are no strangers to competing for championships. Oklahoma, led by head coach Brent Venables, has historically been one of Texas’ biggest rivals and has the potential to disrupt the Longhorns’ playoff dreams. Other teams like Kansas State and TCU, who made strong showings in the 2024 season, will also be formidable opponents. Texas will need to win these high-stakes conference games to build a playoff-worthy resume.
5. Strong Non-Conference Performance: In 2025, Texas will face some non-conference heavyweights, including Alabama in a highly anticipated matchup early in the season. A victory over the Crimson Tide would not only serve as a massive boost to the Longhorns’ playoff hopes but would also make a statement that Texas is back in the conversation as a top-tier program. However, a loss in this game would make it more difficult for Texas to justify a playoff berth, even if they win out in conference play.
6. The Leadership of Steve Sarkisian: The head coach of Texas, Steve Sarkisian, has a wealth of experience coaching elite quarterbacks, including his time at Washington, USC, and Alabama. His success with Bryce Young at Alabama, in particular, should give Longhorns fans confidence that he can help develop Arch Manning into one of the nation’s top quarterbacks. Sarkisian’s offensive scheme is designed to maximize the strengths of his quarterbacks, and with Manning under center, the Longhorns are poised to showcase an offense capable of competing with any team in the country.

National College Football Playoff Landscape in 2025

The College Football Playoff in 2025 will feature an expansion to 12 teams, meaning the path to a national title has become more inclusive, but the competition has also grown exponentially. As more teams get the opportunity to compete for the playoff, it will increase the pressure on teams like Texas to not only win their conference but also dominate during the regular season.

Several teams are poised to contend for a spot in the expanded playoff, and the Longhorns will face stiff competition. In the Southeastern Conference (SEC), Georgia, Alabama, and LSU are expected to be dominant forces. The Big Ten will once again be competitive with powerhouse programs like Michigan, Ohio State, and Penn State in the mix. Meanwhile, teams from the Pac-12, such as USC and Oregon, will continue to make waves in the playoff race.

1. Georgia Bulldogs: Led by head coach Kirby Smart, Georgia has become a perennial powerhouse in college football. Their defense remains one of the most feared in the nation, and quarterback Carson Beck, along with a stacked roster of skill players, will make them a force to be reckoned with in 2025. The Bulldogs are expected to once again be among the top contenders for a playoff spot and may be the team to beat.
2. Alabama Crimson Tide: Even with the departure of Bryce Young, Alabama remains a juggernaut under head coach Nick Saban. The Tide’s ability to reload year after year means they will always be a contender for the College Football Playoff. If Jalen Milroe can perform at a high level and Alabama’s defense remains dominant, the Crimson Tide will certainly be in the mix.
3. Michigan Wolverines: The Wolverines, under head coach Jim Harbaugh, have emerged as a consistent playoff contender, especially after their dominant performances in the Big Ten. With a strong running game and one of the best defenses in the nation, Michigan will be one of the teams to watch in 2025. A win over Ohio State and a Big Ten Championship could pave the way for their entry into the playoff.
4. Ohio State Buckeyes: Ohio State, led by Ryan Day, has one of the most talented rosters in college football. With a dynamic quarterback like Kyle McCord and a receiving corps filled with elite talent, Ohio State’s offense is always dangerous. The Buckeyes will remain a top contender for a playoff berth, and a strong showing in the Big Ten will likely secure their place in the expanded playoff.
5. USC Trojans: With reigning Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams returning for his final season, USC will be one of the most exciting teams in college football. Their high-powered offense, led by Williams, will make them a constant threat in the playoff race. However, the Trojans will need to prove they can compete defensively at the highest level to make a serious playoff run.

Arch Manning’s Legacy

Arch Manning’s 2025 season is about more than just making the College Football Playoff—it’s about securing his legacy in college football history. As the quarterback of one of the most storied programs in the sport, Manning has the opportunity to elevate Texas back to national prominence and write his own chapter in the Manning family’s football saga.

Should Manning lead Texas to the College Football Playoff, it would solidify his status as one of the most impactful players of his generation. If he can lead the Longhorns to a national championship, it would be a historic achievement, not only for Texas but for Manning as a player, cementing his place among the best to ever play the position.

The 2025 College Football Playoff is poised to be one of the most thrilling and unpredictable in recent memory, and Arch Manning’s journey through it will be one of the defining stories of the season. The stage is set, the talent is in place, and the expectations are sky-high for both Manning and the Longhorns as they embark on their quest for a national title.

As the season unfolds, the eyes of the college football world will remain fixed on Arch Manning—his leadership, his growth, and his potential to change the trajectory of Texas football. Whether or not the Longhorns make the College Football Playoff in 2025, Manning’s legacy is already beginning to take shape, and his impact on the sport will be felt for years to come.