## Archmania Begins: Finebaum Predicts Texas Upset Over Ohio State

College football's Week 1 slate is stacked with heavyweight matchups, but all eyes will be on Columbus when the No. 1 Texas Longhorns take on the defending national champion Ohio State Buckeyes on August 30th. The game, airing at noon ET on Fox, has already drawn ESPN's "College GameDay" for Lee Corso's farewell episode, cementing its status as a season opener for the ages.

But amidst the hype surrounding Arch Manning's arrival in Austin, pundits are divided. While Ohio State is favored by most sportsbooks, ESPN analyst Paul Finebaum is boldly predicting a Texas victory, setting the stage for "Archmania."

"He is going to win that first game (against Ohio State) on the biggest stage in college football this year," Finebaum declared during an appearance on ESPN's "Get Up."

Finebaum isn't alone in his confidence. He echoed this sentiment in July, stating:  “The experience of being an understudy to Ewers and understanding Sark’s system is what’s going to get them over the top and probably — well, not probably — definitely beat Ohio State in the opener.”

Ohio State, under Ryan Day's leadership, triumphed over Texas last season in the College Football Playoff Semifinals, crushing Quinn Ewers-led Longhorns 28-14. This year, despite Texas holding the edge in the preseason Coaches poll, most sportsbooks list Texas as a 2.5-point road underdog.

Finebaum believes this will be different. He predicts that Manning's experience and Steve Sarkisian's coaching will propel Texas to victory, sparking a nationwide frenzy.  “It’s going to go Archmania; it’s going to transcend the sport of college football,” Finebaum asserted.


This echoes the excitement surrounding Colorado last year under Deion Sanders. The Buffs' stunning upset over TCU in their season opener ignited national attention and captured the hearts of fans nationwide. Manning has a similar opportunity to become a cultural phenomenon, offering an alternative narrative in a world often focused on established powers.

Manning is already generating buzz, earning spots on multiple preseason award watchlists, including the Walter Camp National Player of the Year, Maxwell Award, Davey O'Brien Award, and Sporting News' Preseason All-America Team. He even boasts +700 odds to win the Heisman Trophy (FanDuel).

The road ahead won't be easy for Texas. Beyond Ohio State, they face a gauntlet of tough opponents, including Florida, Georgia, Oklahoma, and potentially an SEC Championship appearance. But if Finebaum is right, this season will be about Arch Manning. It's about the rise of Texas. It's about "Archmania."


 


## Archmania Begins: Finebaum Predicts Texas Upset Over Ohio State

College football's Week 1 slate is stacked with heavyweight matchups, but all eyes will be o

Paul Finebaum Predicts College Football Upset to Open the Se

Paul Finebaum Predicts College Football Upset to Open the Season

## College Football's Quarterback Crown Up For Grabs

**Two Stars Emerge as Favorites in the Race for National Dominance**

The college football landscape is shifting. With Cam Ward, Shedeur Sanders, and Jaxson Dart leaving for the NFL, a new generation of quarterbacks is poised to take the reins. The coveted Davey O'Brien Award, given annually to the nation's top quarterback, now belongs to the taking. Paul Finebaum, SEC Network analyst and prominent voice in college football, has already identified two standout contenders: LSU Tigers quarterback Garrett Nussmeier and Clemson Tigers quarterback Cade Klubnik.

"I think we could argue all day on who the best quarterback in the country is," Finebaum stated on "The Paul Finebaum Show," "and in every argument, Garrett Nussmeier will be in there. So will (Cade) Klubnik, and then you can add one or two more."

Nussmeier solidified his status as a force to be reckoned with last season, racking up 4,052 passing yards, 29 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions, leading LSU to a 9-4 record.  Klubnik has also demonstrated immense talent, achieving a remarkable turnaround in his second year as starter. He threw for a career-high 3,639 yards, 36 touchdowns, and only six interceptions while adding another dimension with 463 rushing yards and seven touchdowns on the ground.

Finebaum has previously hailed Klubnik as the best quarterback in college football, but he harbors high expectations for Nussmeier and LSU this year. "If he comes out of this season as one of the two or three best quarterbacks in the country, then LSU is in the playoffs with a chance to do something really special."

Adding another layer to the narrative, both quarterbacks will face off in a highly anticipated matchup on August 30th at 7:30 p.m. ET on ABC. The clash between LSU and Clemson promises to be a thrilling display of talent as these two rising stars battle for supremacy.




## College Football's Quarterback Crown Up For Grabs

**Two Stars Emerge as Favorites in the Race for National Dominance**

The college football landscape is sh

Paul Finebaum Didn&#39;t Hesitate Naming Two of the Best QBs

Paul Finebaum Didn&#39;t Hesitate Naming Two of the Best QBs in the Country

## LSU Tigers Roaring Back: Finebaum Predicts "One of the Best Teams in the Country"

**The College Football Landscape Shifts as Brian Kelly's Squad Sets Sights on National Dominance**


The 2025 college football season promises to be one for the books, with high-profile coaching moves and captivating storylines grabbing headlines.  But amidst the chaos, a familiar team is rising to prominence: the LSU Tigers.

While some programs grapple with uncertainty and pressure, LSU enters the year brimming with potential. The Tigers, under coach Brian Kelly's leadership, have consistently delivered strong performances since his arrival in 2022.  After a 10-4 debut season capped by an SEC West title, they followed up with a successful 10-3 campaign in 2023.


Their 2024 season started brightly with a 6-1 record, but a three-game losing streak ultimately derailed their playoff aspirations.  

However, optimism surrounds the Tigers heading into the new year. SEC Network analyst Paul Finebaum confidently predicts LSU will be "one of the best teams in the country." This bold statement isn't just wishful thinking; Finebaum recently declared, “Right now, I would have to think of LSU as a playoff team...It’s crowded in the SEC, you essentially have Texas, I believe you have Alabama, Georgia, LSU and who is next?”


The Tigers are well-positioned for success.  They return 62% of their offensive production, ranking them 38th nationally. Star quarterback Garrett Nussmeier returns after a stellar 2024 season, throwing for 4,052 yards, 29 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. Defensive stalwarts like linebacker Whit Weeks (125 tackles in 2023) and running back Caden Durham (753 rushing yards and six touchdowns as a freshman) also bolster the team's firepower.


While their schedule boasts the sixth-easiest slate in the SEC according to Athlon Sports, LSU faces a daunting opening challenge against the Clemson Tigers on August 30th at 7:30 p.m. ET.


The stage is set for another thrilling season in Baton Rouge.  With a talented roster and the confidence of an astute analyst like Paul Finebaum, the LSU Tigers are poised to make a serious run for national prominence.






## LSU Tigers Roaring Back: Finebaum Predicts "One of the Best Teams in the Country"

**The College Football Landscape Shifts as Brian Kelly's Squad Sets Sights

#Paul finebaum

Paul Finebaum Predicts College Football Upset to Open the Season

Paul Finebaum Didn't Hesitate Naming Two of the Best QBs in the Country

Paul Finebaum Emphatically Declares SEC Program as 'One of the Best Teams in the Country'

#Paul finebaum

Paul Finebaum Predicts College Football Upset to Open the Season

Paul Finebaum Didn&#39;t Hesitate Naming Two of the Best QBs in the Country

Paul Finebaum Emphatically Declares SEC Program as &#39;One of the Best Teams in the Country&#39;

Paul Finebaum Didn't Hesitate Naming Two of the Best QBs in the Country

Paul Finebaum Emphatically Declares SEC Program as 'One of the Best Teams in the Country'