Texas is the No. 1 group within the preseason AP Prime 25 for the primary time in program historical past. Many would argue that the nationwide championship is the Longhorns’ to lose. In addition they have a big-name quarterback set to take the reins in Arch Manning, who could properly find yourself because the Heisman Trophy winner if he lives as much as his potential as a first-year starter. The hype practice is shifting full steam forward, however Manning disregarded any concern of complacency contained in the Longhorns’ locker room.
All eyes might be on Texas proper out of the gate, too, with its monumental season-opening conflict with No. 3 Ohio State. Two of the highest three groups within the nation take heart stage Saturday in a tantalizing Week 1 showdown with fast Faculty Soccer Playoff implications. The Buckeyes and everybody else the Longhorns play this yr can have loads of motivation to take down the nation’s prime canine. However in response to Manning, that goes each methods.
“I feel we sort of attempt to shift the narrative,” Manning mentioned Monday in his media availability. “We’re going for everybody else. The goal’s not on our again; we’ve a pink dot on everybody else.”
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Coming into the season because the top-ranked group usually doesn’t bode properly within the nationwide championship race. Not since Alabama hoisted the trophy in 2017 has the preseason No. 1 squad gained all of it. Earlier than that, USC in 2004 was the newest group to ship on expectations. These are the one two groups this century to perform the feat.
Regardless of the historic knowledge, the betting market favors Texas over the opposite contenders. The Longhorns (+550) are the favorites at FanDuel to emerge from the CFP bracket as the highest group within the land.
Texas, a 2.5-point underdog Saturday in Columbus per FanDuel, doesn’t should win its daunting opener towards the Buckeyes as a way to attain the playoff, nor does it want a victory to even shut the yr because the bracket’s prime seed. However to make an early assertion towards the reigning champion would fortify the Longhorns’ case as the most effective group within the sport till confirmed in any other case.
“They bought actually good gamers,” Manning mentioned of the Buckeyes. “They’re well-coached. They have a bunch of men which have performed loads of soccer. Caleb Downs, I can not say sufficient good issues about him. He is a very good participant. We’ll should carry our A recreation.”
