Is This the Year the Texas Longhorns Shock Everyone and Steal a Playoff Spot? Find Out Why!

The fall from grace was swift for the No. 16 Texas Longhorns, a team once heralded as a preseason favorite, now facing unranked territory after a challenging midseason stretch. However, following a crucial victory against the No. 3 Texas A&M Aggies on Friday, the Longhorns are back in the conversation as serious contenders for an at-large bid in the College Football Playoffs.

With a current record of 9-3, Texas' strength lies not just in its win-loss column, but in its ability to compete against the best. Despite suffering three losses this season, two were against teams ranked in the top five of the Associated Press (AP) rankings. Over the course of the 2025 season, Texas faced four top-five teams, managing a split record of 2-2 in those high-stakes matchups.

Remarkably, Texas also secured victories against three top-10 teams during the regular season. This achievement places them in elite company; they are the first team since the 2019 LSU Tigers—often considered one of the best teams in college football history—to accomplish such a feat.

One of the Longhorns' early losses came in their season opener, where they were narrowly defeated by the No. 1-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes, 14-7. This game was particularly notable as Texas remains the only team this season to come within a single possession of the defending national champions.

However, the road has not been without its bumps. Alongside their season-opening setback, the Longhorns experienced an unexpected loss in Week 6 to the unranked Florida Gators, falling 29-21. This defeat briefly dashed playoff hopes, but Texas quickly rebounded, showcasing resilience by shutting down the No. 8 Oklahoma Sooners with a decisive 23-6 victory in Week 7.

Further into the season, Texas continued to display dominance with blowout wins in non-conference play, culminating in a narrow 34-31 victory against the No. 12 Vanderbilt Commodores in Week 10. Their overall performance has illustrated a pattern of resilience and strength, especially in crucial conference matchups that kept their playoff aspirations alive.

In a significant turnaround, the Longhorns finished their season strong, notching a high-scoring 52-37 victory over Arkansas before sealing their fate with a crucial 27-17 upset against Texas A&M. Ending the season with a win against a top-five opponent could serve as a compelling argument to the playoff selection committee.

As the dust settles on a turbulent season, the question remains: will the Longhorns' strong finish and their impressive record against ranked opponents be enough to secure a spot in the coveted College Football Playoffs? With a challenging schedule behind them, Texas stands poised to make a compelling case, showcasing not just their resilience but also their capability to compete at the highest level.