ESPN made a prediction this week for Arch Manning and the Texas Longhorns that almost all college football fans would love to see. 

On Monday, ESPN projected how the 2025 College Football Playoff could look next season. 

ESPN made their projections based on their early top 25 rankings and the additions that teams have made this offseason from the NCAA transfer portal. 

And based on those projections, ESPN has Texas playing the North Carolina Tar Heels in the first round of the 2025 College Football Playoff. 

That would, of course, result in an epic matchup between Bill Belichick and Arch Manning. 

Who wouldn't want to see that matchup? 

From ESPN: I laughed when I realized my choice. With an awesome defense and Mateer leading a transformed offense, Oklahoma is the most obvious pick, but that's the problem: It's too obvious. The Sooners can never write an Indiana-like underdog story, even though its fans carry the biggest chip in college football on their shoulders. It was tempting to sneak Daniels and Kansas in here, especially because I already had them in the Big 12 championship, and I really like Aguilar at UCLA. But what was I supposed to do, not pick a Bill Belichick team? The only thing more incredible than watching Belichick get subjected to a mayo bath after winning the Duke's Mayo Bowl would be watching Belichick guide North Carolina to an out-of-nowhere CFP bid.

Belichick, who was named as the new head coach at North Carolina following the 2024 season, has a lengthy history with the Manning family. 

The legendary head coach went head-to-head with Peyton and Eli Manning for nearly 20 years in the NFL. 

Eli beat Belichick head to head twice in the Super Bowl. Peyton, on the other hand, didn't have quite as much luck against Belichick, going 6-11 against the Tom Brady/Belichick combo during his career. Peyton, however, did beat Belichick and the Patriots in the AFC Championship game twice (2006 season and 2015 season). 

I can only imagine Belichick's reaction if he gets matched up against a Manning in his first ever College Football Playoff appearance. 

Unfortunately, the odds of this prediction coming true are pretty slim. A lot would have to go right for North Carolina to make the playoff and then actually get matched up against Texas. 

But hey, we can all hope. 

By the way, ESPN thinks Texas would beat North Carolina at home (they're projected Texas the home team) before losing to Utah in the quarterfinals. 

Arch Manning is unintentionally proving this offseason that the Tennessee Vols are the most hated team in college football

It’s not Arch’s fault