Free Republic

Arch Manning’s long-awaited (and much-hyped) 2025 debut turned out to be a showcase instead for defending national champion Ohio State’s defense. Manning, the consensus Heisman favorite entering Week 1, struggled to solve new Buckeyes defensive coordinator Matt Patricia’s scheme. He finished 17-of-30 passing for 170 yards, a late touchdown and an interception — plus 38 yards rushing — in a 14-7 loss.

Quinshon Judkins ran for two touchdowns before Jack Sawyer forced a fumble by his former roommate that he returned 83 yards for a score with 2:13 left as Ohio State beat Texas 28-14 in the Cotton Bowl on Friday night to advance to a shot for their sixth national title. The Buckeyes (13-2) got the semifinal victory in the same stadium where 10 years ago they were champions in the debut of the College Football Playoff as a four-team format. Now they have the opportunity to be the winner again in the debut of the expanded 12-team field.

What wins college football championships? A potent defense? An explosive offense? In the era of name, image and likeness, it is money. Lots of it. It can cost as much as $10.5 million for a title-contending starting offense and defense in the new Power Four conferences. The big-ticket item, of course, lines up behind the center. A blue-chip quarterback in a Power Four conference — schools like Alabama, Michigan and Washington — can expect to earn hundreds of thousands of dollars annually through name, image and likeness, or N.I.L., deals. A quarterback in the Southeastern Conference can bring in more...