Texas is positioned atop the inaugural Best in Texas rankings for the 2025 college football season, with a debate hanging in the air over whether the Longhorns’ No. 1 spot is driven by recent high-profile finishes or by the buzz around Arch Manning. The piece also ponders whether the Manning era can finally elevate Texas to new heights, and how much the quarterback spotlight—paired with Arch Madness—matters in shaping the state’s football narrative.
Key points from the rankings and storylines to watch in Texas this season:
– No. 1: Texas. The Longhorns are under the microscope after their Cotton Bowl showing against Ohio State, with Arch Manning entering the conversation as a potential game-changer for Texas’ offense. The question remains whether Manning can deliver the kind of breakthrough that could redefine the program’s ceiling.
– No. 2: Texas A&M. Mike Elko has tempered his earlier frustrations after a hot start gave way to a tougher finish, but the Aggies remain in the mix thanks to strong recruiting and defensive fixes. If Marcel Reed grows as a passer, he could give A&M a different kind of edge, and fans will be watching how the quarterback battle evolves.
– No. 3: Texas Tech. Beorn Morton (Behrén Morton) is healthy again, and the transfer portal influx has Texas Tech positioned to compete. The goal is a big step forward with a program that has rebooted its expectations in recent years.
– No. 4: SMU. Rhett Lashlee’s squad is highlighted for its veteran returning core, including quarterback Josh Hoover, as the Mustangs aim to translate earlier promise into results in big games. Sonny Dykes has drawn parallels between this group and his past national-title contenders, underscoring the optimism around the program.
– Baylor and beyond: The piece also touches on Baylor, noting coach Dave Aranda’s track record of variability and the offense’s potential to surprise, with Sawyer Robertson providing a spark on offense. The broader Texas landscape includes programs like Houston, UTSA, Texas State, UTEP, Rice, and Sam Houston, each with its own storyline and schedule to monitor as the season unfolds.
What this says about Texas college football culture
– The state has become a deep, crowded talent pool, with 13 FBS programs that fuel a highly competitive, nationally relevant scene. The rankings reflect both the depth of programs across Texas and the weight of quarterback play and offensive systems in determining success.
– The discussion about Arch Manning versus other prolific quarterbacks (like Quinn Ewers in the recent past) highlights a broader narrative in which one standout signal-caller could shift perception and outcomes for a program in a single season.
– There’s also a broader question implied by the piece: would Texas benefit from fewer FBS programs funneling more talent to flagship programs, or is the current, competitive Texas ecosystem best for national relevance? The analysis leans toward the idea that the state’s breadth creates a uniquely compelling, if divisive, landscape.
Summary and takeaways
– Texas leads the first-in-a-series Best in Texas rankings for 2025, with the rest of the state’s power programs—A&M, Tech, SMU, Baylor, Houston, UTSA, Texas State, UTEP, Rice, and Sam Houston—also projected to be significant players this coming season.
– The article blends on-field metrics, recruiting momentum, and quarterback narratives to frame a season that could redefine Texas college football’s national picture.
– Looking ahead, the path to success for Texas and its in-state peers will hinge on quarterback development, coaching adjustments, and the ability to convert in big games against top-tier competition.
Possible value-add for readers
– A quick explainer box on Arch Manning’s potential impact and what constitutes “Arch Madness” in this context could help casual readers follow the storyline more easily.
– A short glossary of the programs’ recent strengths (recruiting classes, transfer-portal activity, coaching changes) would help readers track how each team might close gaps this season.
– A forecast sidebar with key matchups in the Texas-heavy schedule could give fans a practical sense of where the season could tilt in favor of the top programs.
Positive note
– The spread of strong programs across Texas means a thrilling season awaits for fans, with multiple programs capable of defining the state’s football narrative and competing for national recognition.
If you’d like, I can add a concise summary box, a reader-friendly glossary, and a proposed schedule-focused sidebar to accompany this rewritten article for your WordPress post.