The biggest game of the opening weekend came in Texas, where the Longhorns hosted defending champion Ohio State. The buildup became about more than football. Lee Corso, the face of College Football Saturday for generations, was honored in the lead up. It was a reminder of how much he has meant to the sport, and the country showed its affection. Corso’s presence and his pick for the Buckeyes provided a sentimental frame for what was expected to be a clash of heavyweights. Once the ball was kicked, though, the spectacle lagged. The first half lacked rhythm and felt more like a test of patience than a marquee showcase. Texas quarterback Arch Manning struggled to find any spark. His first few throws drew groans rather than cheers. For those tuning in nationally, the entertainment value dipped early. It took until midway through the second quarter for the game to see its first touchdown, when C.J. Donaldson broke through for Ohio State to put the Buckeyes in front. By halftime, the Buckeyes’ new quarterback looked composed and ready. Manning looked rattled. The dynamic between the two quarterbacks, one carrying the most famous name in football and the other just getting his first chance, became the storyline. The kid outplayed the man with the legacy. The second half carried the same theme. Ohio State did not blow the doors off, but they controlled the pace. They finished with more than 370 total yards, moved the chains when needed, and avoided critical mistakes. Texas put together drives but could not finish them. Two trips into scoring position in the third quarter ended without touchdowns. Manning forced throws that Ohio State’s defense read cleanly. The difference on the field was as much about decision-making as it was about talent. By the fourth quarter, the result felt inevitable. The Buckeyes leaned on their ground game to bleed clock, while Texas could not find rhythm. Manning’s stat line, barely above fifty percent completions and less than six yards per attempt, became the story. Ohio State’s quarterback, by contrast, finished with two touchdowns, no turnovers, and the poise of someone who belonged on the stage. For fans, the reaction split in two directions. Ohio State fans left reassured that the transition from one national title run to another might not be as rocky as feared. Texas fans left disappointed, questioning whether the hype around Manning has outpaced his readiness. National media quickly picked up the same thread. Manning was not only criticized, he became the postgame headline, overshadowing everything else about the game. This matchup of top five teams was billed as a showcase. Instead it felt like a missed chance for drama. The Buckeyes were steady, the Longhorns underwhelmed, and the result lacked the fireworks expected. Sometimes football is about big names and emotional stories, and sometimes it is just about execution. Ohio State executed. Texas did not. Looking ahead, the Buckeyes appear capable of another playoff push. Their quarterback showed command, their defense stayed disciplined, and their coaching staff managed the game without panic. Texas, meanwhile, faces hard questions. Manning is young, and the ceiling may still be high, but for Week 1 the gap between expectation and performance was glaring. The season is long, but this opener left Austin restless and searching for answers.