Final game-by-game predictions for the Texas Football 2025 season

It is finally here. The much-anticipated, long-awaited start of the 2025 Texas Longhorns Football season has arrived. To say the hopes are high is a vast understatement. Texas is ranked No. 1 in both the US LBM Coaches Poll and the AP Top 25 ranking.

The Horns should win most of their games without much bother. But there are three road games that could trip Texas up -- at Ohio State, at Florida and at Georgia. It is difficult to think Texas will win all three of those games.

There will also be some games pop up, like Vanderbilt last year, that are closer than they should be, but Texas wins in the end. In a couple of games, the opponent may hang around for a half before UT pulls away and coasts home, like Florida and Kentucky last season.

But IF Arch Manning is what we think he is, Texas will flirt with an undefeated 2025 campaign.

Will they do it? Find out:

Aug. 31: Texas Longhorns at Ohio State Buckeyes

It's finally here. Game 1 of the Arch Manning era. And he starts in possibly the biggest season opener in college football history. Texas is looking for revenge after a heartbreaking loss to the Buckeyes in the college football playoff semifinal at the Cotton Bowl.

The real key to this game will come down to the offensive lines. Both are rebuilt from a year ago. Another huge key is how Texas handles star Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith. Texas was able to defend Smith will in the Cotton Bowl. But those were different DBs.

We think Manning will hit some big plays that Ohio State might not be prepared for. Texas' defense, possibly the best in the country, limits new OSU QB Julian Sayin enough to get the win.

Prediction: 31-17 Win

Projected Record: 1-0

Sept. 6: San Jose State Spartans at Texas Longhorns

SJSU coach Ken Niumatalolo is a good coach, but his Spartans are way undermanned here. No matter what happens in Columbus, the Longhorns roll to a big win in their first home game of the season.

Prediction: 49-3 Win

Projected Record: 2-0

Sept. 13: UTEP Miners at Texas Longhorns

UTEP will probably be one of the worst teams in college football this year. Texas will look like the best team in the world against the Miners.

Prediction: 58-0 Win

Projected Record: 3-0

Sept. 20: Sam Houston State Bearkats at Texas Longhorns

Texas completes the triple cupcake sweep and dispatches the Bearkats with relative ease.

Prediction: 48-6 Win

Projected Record: 4-0

Oct. 4: Texas Longhorns at Florida Gators

Now Texas starts one of the toughest stretches of the season. The Longhorns don't have a single home game in October. The start of that stretch is at Florida in the Swamp.

The Gators should be resurgent this year behind potential Heisman Trophy candidate DJ Lagway, whose running and throwing ability make him dangerous against even the best defenses.

This is a trap game of the highest order. If this Texas team is a true national title contender, the Horns get a win in Gainesville any way possible. Manning leads a late drive for a late field goal winner.

Prediction: 24-21 Win

Projected Record: 5-0

Oct. 11: Oklahoma Sooners vs. Texas Longhorns (in Dallas)

Oklahoma should be much better with the transfer portal addition of former Washington State QB John Mateer. There's a chance Mateer is very good. Very good. But Texas has a better roster and a good new QB of its own. UT should win the Red River Rivalry again.

Prediction: 31-17 Win

Projected Record: 6-0

Oct. 18: Texas Longhorns at Kentucky Wildcats

Even though Kentucky gave some teams a tough game last year, including Texas in the first half, the Wildcats still finished the year as the second worst team in the SEC. UT wins this game pretty easily.

Prediction: 35-14 Win

Projected Record: 7-0

Oct. 25: Texas Longhorns at Mississippi State Bulldogs

Hail State is the worst team in the conference. It took Texas almost a quarter to shake off the Bulldogs last year in Manning's second career start. He'll be a lot better this time around.

Prediction: 41-7 Win

Projected Record: 8-0

Nov. 1: Vanderbilt Commodores at Texas Longhorns

Vandy came close to pulling off the upset of Texas last year. But this season at DRK, the game won't be as close. The Commodores won't surprise UT this season.

Prediction: 31-13 Win

Projected Record: 9-0

Nov. 15: Texas Longhorns at Georgia Bulldogs

Georgia beat Texas twice last season and the Bulldogs didn't even get to host UT in Athens. UGA might not have as good of a team as last season. But the Bulldogs seem to find a way against Texas. Georgia hits another gear against the Horns, especially the defensive line. No D-Line shredded the vaunted Texas offensive line last year like Georgia did ... twice.

Beating Georgia between the hedges in Athens might be a bridge too far.

Prediction: 34-31 Loss

Projected Record: 9-1

Nov. 22: Arkansas Razorbacks at Texas Longhorns

Looking for a huge bounce back game, the Longhorns find the perfect tonic ... Arkansas. A wounded rival. The Razorbacks will be mediocre again this season and even if they want to beat Texas more than Texas wants to beat them ... it won't matter. UT wins big.

Prediction: 28-10 Win

Projected Record: 10-1

Nov. 28: Texas A&M Aggies at Texas Longhorns

The Aggies won't get their first win over Texas in over a decade. With a trip to the SEC Championship game on the line (for Texas), UT wins a slugfest at DKR and send Texas A&M home unhappy ... again.

Prediction: 28-17 Win

Final Projected Record: 11-1

This article originally appeared on Longhorns Wire: Texas Football 2025 season final game-by-game predictions