As the calendar inches toward another exhilarating college football season, the Texas Longhorns find themselves squarely in the national spotlight. With the dust from the 2024–25 College Football Playoff barely settled, eyes across the nation are fixed on what comes next for a team that has rekindled the glory of its blue-blood status. After an impressive run last season that saw them claw through the expanded 12-team playoff format, the Longhorns are poised for another deep postseason journey.
The announcement of the 2025–26 College Football Playoff schedule has stirred considerable buzz, and rightly so. For the Longhorns, who are expected to be among the top contenders again, understanding the roadmap to the quarterfinals is essential — both for the program and its fanbase, which is desperate for a national title that’s eluded them since 2005.
A New Era of the College Football Playoff
The expanded College Football Playoff format, introduced in the 2024–25 season, has brought renewed energy and greater opportunities for deserving teams. With 12 teams now earning postseason berths, the field is broader, and the path to the title more grueling.
Quarterfinal matchups in this revised format will be played on New Year’s Eve (December 31, 2025) and New Year’s Day (January 1, 2026), setting the stage for what is essentially a four-game football holiday. These games will take place at the traditional New Year’s Six bowl sites, including the Cotton Bowl, Fiesta Bowl, Peach Bowl, and Orange Bowl.
For the Texas Longhorns, the goal is clear: reach one of those quarterfinal matchups — and win it.
2025 Texas Longhorns: A Team Reborn
Led by second-year head coach Steve Sarkisian, the 2025 Longhorns are expected to be among the elite. Last season, Texas captured the Big 12 crown in its final year in the conference before transitioning to the SEC, a move that only adds fuel to the fire of their national ambitions.
The Longhorns’ 2025 schedule begins on August 30 with a marquee matchup against Ohio State, a game that is expected to serve as an early litmus test. Other key opponents include Georgia, Alabama, Texas A&M, and LSU, all now conference foes in the loaded Southeastern Conference.
But perhaps what separates this Texas team from its predecessors is depth — both in personnel and mentality. Returning quarterback Arch Manning enters the season as a Heisman candidate. The 6-foot-4 gunslinger showed poise and flashes of brilliance in his redshirt freshman campaign and is now ready to lead the Longhorns under center in their SEC debut.
Playoff Scenarios: What Texas Needs to Do
To reach the CFP quarterfinals, Texas needs to finish the regular season as either a conference champion or ranked within the top 6 of the CFP rankings. Under the current structure:
- The top 4 highest-ranked conference champions receive first-round byes and automatic quarterfinal berths.
- Seeds 5 through 12 will compete in the first round, with the winners advancing to the quarterfinals.
With a strong schedule, Texas controls its destiny. A one-loss or undefeated season, especially with wins over SEC powerhouses, would all but guarantee the Longhorns a top-4 seed and a coveted first-round bye.
In the event that Texas finishes just outside the top 4, they would host or travel for a first-round matchup. Given the size of DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium and the passionate fanbase, hosting a first-round game would provide a major advantage.
Potential Quarterfinal Matchups
While the season hasn’t begun, a look at potential quarterfinal opponents gives insight into what lies ahead for Texas. Based on early projections from outlets such as ESPN, The Athletic, and 247Sports, here are four likely matchups if Texas finishes as a top-4 seed:
1. Texas vs. Penn State (Fiesta Bowl)
A classic Big 12 vs. Big Ten showdown. Penn State has returned to form under James Franklin and is powered by a defense that matches up well against Texas’ explosive offense.
2. Texas vs. Notre Dame (Peach Bowl)
This would be a battle of tradition, history, and pageantry. Notre Dame quarterback CJ Carr could give Texas fits, but the Longhorns’ superior line play might swing the balance.
3. Texas vs. Florida State (Orange Bowl)
A rematch of their 2020 bowl clash, this game would feature two fast, athletic teams. Texas’ front seven would be tested against the FSU run game.
4. Texas vs. Michigan (Cotton Bowl)
With Michigan looking to rebuild after the Harbaugh era, Texas may have the upper hand. Still, the Wolverines’ blue-collar physicality could challenge the Horns in the trenches.
Quarterfinal Logistics: Travel, Preparation, and Fan Frenzy
If Texas lands a quarterfinal berth, travel and preparation logistics become paramount. The coaching staff would likely head to the designated bowl site at least a week early to install game plans and acclimate players to the environment.
Texas fans are expected to travel en masse, as they did in last year’s Peach Bowl win over Arizona State. Cities like Atlanta (Peach Bowl), Dallas (Cotton Bowl), and Miami (Orange Bowl) provide regional proximity and venue familiarity for Longhorn Nation.
Expect media frenzy, NIL-fueled media day appearances, and ESPN coverage to follow the Longhorns’ every move. The brand is back — and with it comes national attention.
Sarkisian’s Blueprint for CFP Glory
Coach Steve Sarkisian’s experience at Alabama has proven invaluable. He knows what it takes to win under pressure, to scheme against elite defenses, and to motivate young men when the stakes are highest.
His offensive creativity — mixing spread concepts with power-running schemes — will be essential in playoff games where execution, not just talent, wins the day. And with a coordinator staff that includes defensive guru Pete Kwiatkowski and rising offensive mind Jeff Banks, Texas is tactically equipped.
Sarkisian also benefits from stability in recruiting. The 2025 class ranked No. 3 nationally and includes five-star talents at offensive line, defensive back, and wide receiver. This influx of young talent may prove crucial when injuries or fatigue set in during the playoff gauntlet.
Manning’s Moment: The Heisman and Beyond
If Texas reaches the College Football Playoff quarterfinals, much of the credit will go to Arch Manning. The legacy quarterback carries immense pressure — and so far, he’s thrived under it.
His combination of football IQ, arm strength, and mobility makes him the most dangerous dual-threat quarterback in the country. Expect Manning to be in the thick of the Heisman conversation if he leads Texas to a 10+ win regular season.
But more important than the hardware is how Manning elevates his teammates. Wide receivers Johntay Cook II and DeAndre Moore Jr. benefit from Manning’s precision, while running back CJ Baxter feasts behind a line anchored by Kelvin Banks Jr.
The Road to the National Title
Should Texas win their quarterfinal game, they’ll advance to the semifinals scheduled for January 8–9, 2026, in either the Sugar Bowl or Rose Bowl. From there, the national championship game awaits on January 19, 2026, in Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium.
The Longhorns haven’t appeared in a national title game since the heartbreaking loss to Alabama in 2009. Sixteen years later, the program seems destined to return to college football’s grandest stage.
But to get there, the quarterfinal hurdle must be cleared first.
In the heart of the Lone Star State, hope is once again alive. The Texas Longhorns, revitalized by a star quarterback, an elite coaching staff, and a rabid fanbase, are primed for a College Football Playoff run.
With the quarterfinal schedule now set for New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, the countdown begins. Whether they’re battling Notre Dame in the Peach Bowl or clashing with Michigan in the Cotton Bowl, one thing is certain.
