Arch Manning mania will go into full effect this spring, but Las Vegas is already getting ahead of the curve.

The Longhorns debuted as the betting favorite to win the 2025 national championship, according to the first odds posted by BetOnline.

Texas opened as a 9-2 favorite, followed by Georgia and Ohio State at 11-2, Oregon at 7-1 and Penn State at 10-1.

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The Horns had mixed success against the line in 2024. Steve Sarkisian’s team was 7-5-1 against the spread while going 13-3 on the field and reaching the College Football Playoffs.

Most of the early optimism is fueled by Manning’s expected rise to become the Longhorns’ starter. He didn’t get much playing time in the CFP but did have an important run on fourth-and-1.

Next season, the Horns will also be rebuilding their offensive line. Left tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. has already declared he’s going pro early, and right tackle Cam Williams is expected to follow suit. Center Jake Majors was a senior, and senior Hayden Connor announced over the weekend he wasn’t coming back, either.

Texas is expected to get injured running back CJ Baxter back, but the offense will also likely lose receiver Matthew Golden and tight end Gunnar Helm to the NFL.

On defense, the Horns are losing multiple veterans up front, but linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. should return along with safety Michael Taaffe.

But all the preseason hype from now until the Aug. 30 season opener against Ohio State rests on Manning’s shoulders.