[<\/strong>Join or create a Yahoo Fantasy Football league for the 2025 NFL season<\/strong><\/a>]<\/strong><\/p>\n The christening of the next great Manning, the first chapter in what so many predict to be a legendary career, did not go as planned. Unless, of course, you were Matt Patricia, the Buckeyes\u2019 crafty first-year defensive coordinator and former NFL head coach who schemed well enough to make the Longhorns look silly at times.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n For instance, Manning didn\u2019t complete a pass longer than 10 yards in the air until the fourth quarter. He missed his receivers wide, threw short and long of them, tossed a costly interception and overall seemed rattled.<\/p>\n Despite only throwing nine college touchdowns entering the game, Manning was the preseason betting favorite for the Heisman<\/a>. By the third quarter, he was fourth betting favorite.<\/p>\n Perhaps it was all those lofty expectations. Maybe it was the more than 107,000 here roaring with every Manning misstep. Or a defensive secondary that, at least in the first half, clearly confused the third-year sophomore QB.<\/p>\n The truth: It was everything, all of it toppling onto his shoulders, weighing him down and forcing him into costly miscues.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n But don\u2019t write him off yet, his coach said afterward. After all, this is a small sample size, maybe even a one-game aberration on the road at the defending national champs. Texas coach Steve Sarkisian says he\u2019ll board the plane to Austin with positive feelings for the way his team \u2014 and Arch \u2014 fought in the second half, the way he grew. He sees encouragement.<\/p>\n \u201cThe growth throughout the game for Arch was really encouraging. We are going to be fine,\u201d Sarkisian said. \u201cFor Arch, the expectations were out of control on the outside. I\u2019d say let\u2019s finish the book before we judge him. That\u2019s one chapter.\u201d<\/p>\n An unforgettable one for the Buckeyes, no doubt.<\/p>\n Patricia, the former Detroit Lions head coach, debuted in sizzling fashion. Texas had 79 yards at halftime and was shut out for the first three quarters of a game for the first time in a decade.<\/p>\n The Ohio State defense bullied Texas for much of the game on Saturday. (Ian Johnson\/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)<\/p>\n (Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)<\/p>\n It was a Manning mess in the first half. He fired his very first pass short of an open receiver. Despite having decent offensive line blocking, he rarely attempted anything more than 5 yards downfield, missed an open touchdown and failed to get into the end zone on a fourth-and-goal sneak from the 1.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n \u201cUltimately, not good enough,\u201d Manning said afterward. \u201cObviously, you don’t want to start off the season going 0-1. They’re a good team, but I thought we beat ourselves a lot. That starts with me. I\u2019ve got to play better for us to win.\u201d<\/p>\n Off the field, Manning graced our TV sets, too. Did you see him in the Raising Cane\u2019s commercial? How about the one for the eyeglass company Warby Parker? He wore Vuori shorts in another ad too.<\/p>\n On the field, it was less spectacular. But that goes for many of those in burnt orange on offense, all of them fighting to move an inch against Patricia\u2019s nasty defense. Manning was confused enough that during a halftime conversation with his QB, Sarkisian says he \u201cshifted his focus\u201d on recognizing coverages.<\/p>\n \u201cHe was struggling to see some things early,\u201d the coach said. \u201cThey\u2019ve got a smart secondary and a good scheme. They made Arch work.\u201d<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n But let\u2019s be honest, this wasn\u2019t pretty offensively on either side. No, not at all.<\/p>\n Ohio State punted six times and had 203 yards of offense. The Buckeyes finally broke a scoreless tie on the legs of transfer running back C.J. Donaldson, who rumbled into the end zone on a fourth down.<\/p>\n In many ways, it was to be expected. Both started a different quarterback from their playoff semifinal match in January. The Horns employed a rebuilt offensive line with four new starters. The Buckeyes missed their top two running backs.<\/p>\n There were new faces everywhere \u2014 and it showed.<\/p>\n But all eyes were on that Manning kid.<\/p>\n Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning struggled for the majority of the game on Saturday. (Kyle Robertson)<\/p>\n (IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect \/ Reuters)<\/p>\n However, he wasn\u2019t the only one making his debut.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n Dave Portnoy, the president of Barstool, an unabashed Michigan fan and the new addition of Fox\u2019s “Big Noon Kickoff” show, made his appearance felt and heard during the show\u2019s 2025 debut outside of Ohio Stadium. He burst onto the set singing the Michigan alma mater among a sea of booing Buckeyes fans, taunted them over UM\u2019s four-game winning streak in the rivalry and, then, in a continued personal attack on Ohio State\u2019s head coach, suggested that Ryan Day could be fired if he loses a fifth straight to the Wolverines.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat happens if you lose to Michigan this year? He could be out,\u201d Portnoy screamed to the crowd. \u201cThere\u2019s a reason I\u2019m not allowed in The Shoe today. Because he\u2019s soft and Michigan has broken him.\u201d<\/p>\n Though the school denied it, Portnoy says he was banned from the show\u2019s late segment<\/a> that originates from within the venue \u2014 the latest stewing from the school about Fox\u2019s decision to partner with Barstool.<\/p>\n![\"COLUMBUS,](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/1b8dd3d0-85e5-11f0-b1f7-afe579990643.jpeg\"\/)
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