How Texas Revitalized Their College Football Playoff Dreams

AUSTIN, TEXAS – NOVEMBER 28: Arch Manning #16 of the Texas Longhorns fires Smokey the Cannon after beating the Texas A&M Aggies 27-17 at Darrell Okay Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on November 28, 2025 in Austin, Texas. (Picture by Alex Slitz/Getty Photos)

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Being a fan of the College of Texas’ soccer program has been one stuffed with trials and tribulations.

Regardless of representing the unofficial soccer state and being one of many greatest packages in faculty soccer, success has not been constant for the boys in burnt orange.

Expectations are at all times excessive as a consequence of these components, but it has been 20 years since Texas received the Nationwide Championship.

These expectations have been by no means larger than the 2025 preseason, which the Longhorns can attest they did come up brief on.

Nevertheless, a revitalization of their offense has doubtlessly revitalized an opportunity to finish this 20-year drought.

However, will it’s too little, too late?

Whether or not former Longhorn quarterback Sam Ehlinger regrets his infamous claim in 2018, that’s now constantly shared every time Texas loses a giant recreation, his declare that “Texas is again” was by no means extra true than forward of this season.

For the primary time in program history, Texas entered the yr as the highest total seed within the AP Preseason Ballot.

This got here following a 13-3 total report and 7-1 convention report of their first season within the SEC.

After ending their season within the second spherical of the School Soccer Playoffs, all eyes appeared to an improved product in 2025.

Texas had one other offseason ending throughout the high recruiting groups within the nation, and held onto key parts of 2024 like working again Tre Wisner and edge rusher Colin Simmons.

However the important thing to 2025 was on the quarterback place.

After seeing him shine in components of 2024, the sky was the restrict for Arch Manning getting into his first yr because the Longhorn starter.

The Junior’s function below middle not solely gave Texas the highest spot within the preseason ballot, but additionally put Manning within the preseason conversations for the Heisman.

Each of these preseason proclamations took successful in Week One, as Texas began the yr with a loss.

In search of to problem themselves out of the gate, Texas walked into Ohio State to begin the yr.

Manning actually didn’t mild it up in his season debut, solely throwing for 170 yards on a 56.7% completion share.

This 14-7 win for Ohio State confirmed extra in regards to the defending champion’s capacity to repeat as a substitute of Texas doubtlessly being overrated.

Manning would have the following three video games to build up Heisman statistics towards mid-major opponents.

Whereas the scoreboard correctly displays the talent hole between Texas and these opponents, Manning nonetheless didn’t appear like he did the earlier yr.

So, with Texas beginning their convention schedule within the Swamp towards Florida, Steve Sarkisian’s lack of offensive execution got here to harm the Longhorns’ playcaller.

Within the first recreation, Texas allowed greater than 14 factors, and Florida pulled off the upset over Texas, 21-29. Manning threw 2 touchdowns with 2 interceptions, however the lack of a working recreation was the distinction towards the Gators.

This was the primary vital blow to Texas’s playoff hopes, because the loss to unranked Florida induced Texas to drop exterior of the top-25.

With no time to sulk, Texas then traveled to a impartial web site to tackle #6-ranked Oklahoma, which grew to become the primary revitalization try of their season.

Texas dominated their former Massive-12 foe, outscoring the Sooners 20-0 within the second half to win 23-6. With an emphasis on working the ball, Texas totaled 128 yards on the bottom between Manning and Wisner, with the dagger within the recreation being a 75-yard punt return landing for Ryan Niblett.

This put Texas again within the top-25, and saved them ranked twentieth or larger for the following two weeks as they struggled to defeat Kentucky and Mississippi State.

Their subsequent check was #9-ranked Vanderbilt at residence, the place the offense appeared to lastly take its last kind.

The Longhorns improved to 7-2 on the yr with the 34-31 victory, regardless of Vanderbilt ending the sport on a 21-0 run within the fourth quarter.

Manning had a profession day, throwing for 328 yards and three touchdowns.

Whereas the offense appeared to be taking kind, the protection was amid some troubling considerations, which might be exploited of their subsequent recreation.

Subsequent was #5-ranked Georgia, which defeated the Longhorns 35-10. This loss appeared to be a doubtlessly deadly blow, because it took Texas’ #10 seed within the nation and dropped them to #17.

With one final probability, Texas must take down undefeated Texas A&M on rivalry weekend.

Regardless of a 10-3 lead at half, the Longhorns’ dashing assault took over the sport, resulting in them outscoring the Aggies 24-7 behind 218 yards and a couple of touchdowns on the bottom.

Of their greatest check of the yr, Texas produced its most well-rounded win of the season, giving them a fighter’s probability to be an at-large bid for the School Soccer Playoff.

Now, regardless of their sluggish begin to the yr and loss to Florida, Texas has three wins towards top-10 opponents, and their 7-point loss to Ohio State can be utilized to their benefit as a possible tiebreaker.

Largely depending on the outcomes of the video games as we speak, Texas may discover itself as a harmful staff within the playoffs.

Even when they don’t get the nod, the resiliency of a staff that dipped exterior the top-25, and a quarterback deemed to be, is a testomony to Sarkisian’s teaching, and could possibly be the chip on their shoulders for subsequent season.