Ryan Day 'excited that we're at home' for matchup vs. Arch Manning, Texas in Week 1

The 2025 college football season kicks off in a major way on August 30, when Ohio State hosts Texas in a rematch from the 2024 College Football Playoff.

The matchup will feature the reigning National Champions against one of the most hyped players in recent college football history, Texas quarterback Arch Manning.

Day revealed that he is excited for the home matchup against Arch and the Longhorns during this week’s Big Ten Media Days event.

“[Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian]’s got a great team and he’s a great coach,” Day said. “Arch is just a tremendous talent. One of the best young guys to come through college football in a long time. He’s gonna be very, very good and likely one of the best quarterbacks in the country this year. So we know what the challenge is going to be week one and we’re working towards that. We’re fired up about having this monster game in week one and it’s really got our attention in a big way. I’m excited that we’re at home for it.”

Manning has yet to even start a meaningful game in Texas burnt orange, as his lone three starts last season came against UTSA, Louisiana-Monroe and Mississippi State in relief of an injured Quinn Ewers. In 10 appearances last season, he compiled 939 passing yards, nine touchdowns and two interceptions.

His clash with an Ohio State program, led by superstar players Jeremiah Smith and Caleb Downs, is guaranteed to be must watch television in late August.

Paul Finebaum ‘guarantees’ Arch and Texas will beat Ohio State

You won’t find a bigger Arch Manning fan than ESPN college football analyst Paul Finebaum.

During an episode of “Get Up” which aired last week, Finebaum guaranteed that Manning will lead Texas to a win over Ohio State in both teams’ season opener.

“I am as married to Arch Manning as an old geezer like me can be to a young, great college quarterback, but I like everything about him,” Finebaum said. “The Manning name matters, but it isn’t going to matter that field in a couple of weeks at Ohio State. The experience of being an understudy to [Quinn] Ewers and understanding [Steve Sarkisian]’s system is what’s going to get them over the top and probably — well, not probably — definitely beat Ohio State in the opener.”

The winner of that season opener will likely shoot to No. 1 in the country, a position Texas held for the first time last season since 2008.