Texas will open the 2025 college football season as the No. 1 team in the nation in both the AP Top 25 and the Coaches Poll, marking the first time in program history the Longhorns have led both major preseason rankings. The achievement caps years of steady improvement under head coach Steve Sarkisian and sets the stage for one of the most closely watched seasons in school history.
In the AP poll, Texas narrowly edged Penn State for the top spot in one of the closest preseason races in decades. The Longhorns claimed 25 first-place votes, while the Nittany Lions picked up 23, with the final point totals separated by only a handful. Ohio State, the defending national champion, sits in third, followed by Clemson and Georgia.
The Coaches Poll mirrored the AP results, with Texas holding the top position and Ohio State ranked second. It is the first time the Longhorns have ever led both polls heading into a season, underscoring the national confidence in a roster stacked with talent and experience.
Texas has won 25 of its last 30 games and reached the College Football Playoff semifinals in back-to-back seasons. Quarterback Arch Manning, now entering his second year as a starter, has become the face of the program and one of the most talked-about players in the country. His development, combined with the team’s offensive depth, has fueled expectations that this could be the year the Longhorns contend for a national title.
The defense has also emerged as a strength, anchored by All-Americans Anthony Hill Jr. and Michael Taaffe. Freshman pass rusher Colin Simmons brings explosive potential, while Wardell Mack and Graceson Littleton are among the young players expected to make an immediate impact. The unit’s combination of seasoned leadership and emerging stars gives Texas a balance that has been missing in past seasons.
The SEC once again dominates the AP Top 25, with a record 10 teams ranked, but Texas’s position at the top signals a shift in the conversation. Long known as a powerhouse in tradition and resources, the program has often struggled to match those advantages with consistent results. Now, with a loaded roster, stable coaching staff, and momentum from two strong seasons, the Longhorns appear poised to make good on their potential.
Texas’s season opener on August 30 is a rematch of last year’s playoff semifinal against Ohio State, this time in Columbus. The game is expected to be one of the most anticipated nonconference matchups in recent memory, and its outcome could set the tone for the rest of the season. A win would validate the faith voters placed in Texas, while a loss could quickly reopen the debate about which program truly deserves the top spot.
Preseason polls may be snapshots in time, but they can shape early narratives and influence playoff discussions down the road. Last year, several teams ranked in the preseason top 10 failed to make the playoff, serving as a reminder that high rankings are no guarantee of postseason success. Still, the visibility and prestige that come with the No. 1 spot are undeniable, and for Texas, the dual honor in the AP and Coaches polls is both a milestone and a challenge.
As the season approaches, the Longhorns will carry the weight of expectation unlike any they have faced in recent decades. Their performance in the opening weeks will determine whether this preseason recognition is the start of a championship campaign or just another fleeting headline. For now, Texas stands alone at the top, with the rest of the college football world watching closely.
