For the University of Texas Longhorns, the 2025 college football season hasn’t even kicked off yet, but history has already been made. For the first time ever, Texas has claimed the No. 1 spot in the preseason US LBM Coaches Poll, an achievement that resonates far beyond a simple numerical ranking. It signals a seismic shift in the balance of power in college football, a symbolic crowning that suggests the Longhorns are no longer chasing greatness—they’re expected to embody it. From past glories to recent struggles and now to this unprecedented recognition, the journey to this moment has been anything but linear, but it has made the present all the more meaningful.
Texas has long been one of the crown jewels of college football, boasting a legacy that includes multiple national championships, a Heisman Trophy winner, and some of the most iconic players and moments in the sport’s history. Yet for all its prestige and promise, the last decade has been one defined more by chaos than championships. Coaching changes, underwhelming seasons, and the ever-looming shadow of “Texas is back” have haunted the program and its loyal fanbase. Despite having the financial resources, recruiting pipeline, and institutional support that many programs could only dream of, the Longhorns were stuck in neutral—sometimes flashing brilliance, but often sputtering when it mattered most.
All of that appears to be changing now, and the No. 1 ranking to start the season is the most public proof of it yet. The US LBM Coaches Poll, conducted among a panel of active FBS coaches, offers one of the most respected preseason snapshots of where programs stand in the eyes of those who know the game best. That Texas is perched atop that list is no fluke. It’s the culmination of smart recruiting, roster development, a solid foundation laid by head coach Steve Sarkisian, and the kind of big-game performances that define national contenders. Last season’s deep College Football Playoff run, which saw Texas go toe-to-toe with elite opponents, left little doubt that the Longhorns could play with anyone in the nation. This preseason poll solidifies that belief in a tangible, historic way.
One cannot overstate the psychological importance of being named the preseason No. 1 team. It’s more than a media talking point or a trivia note; it reshapes the entire narrative around a program. It changes how players view themselves, how opponents prepare, and how fans invest emotionally. Every game becomes a litmus test for championship legitimacy. The hunters now become the hunted. That’s a pressure few programs are equipped to handle—but Texas, with its tradition and resources, might be uniquely suited to embrace it.
This isn’t just a win for the program—it’s a cultural moment for the entire state. Football in Texas is more than a pastime; it’s part religion, part identity. High school stadiums draw thousands, Friday night lights illuminate small towns, and recruiting battles are followed like soap operas. When the flagship university of the Lone Star State is No. 1 in the nation before a single snap is played, it sends a message from El Paso to Beaumont: Texas football, at every level, is thriving. And the ripple effects could be enormous. From energizing in-state recruiting to generating economic windfalls through merchandising and ticket sales, the benefits of being No. 1 go far beyond the field.
For head coach Steve Sarkisian, this ranking marks a significant personal and professional milestone. Hired with a mixture of optimism and skepticism in 2021, Sarkisian has methodically rebuilt Texas into a modern juggernaut. He brought in top-tier coordinators, prioritized player development, and leaned into the program’s strengths while addressing its long-standing weaknesses. Perhaps most importantly, he’s built a culture of accountability and confidence—a team-first mentality that blends the swagger of Texas football with the discipline required to win consistently in today’s ultra-competitive college football landscape. Now, with the nation watching and expectations at an all-time high, Sarkisian faces the ultimate coaching challenge: proving that this preseason ranking isn’t the peak, but merely the beginning.
On the field, Texas boasts one of the most complete rosters in college football. The offense is led by a potential Heisman candidate at quarterback, surrounded by skill-position players who can turn any play into a highlight reel. The offensive line, once a liability, is now a strength, built through years of savvy recruiting and development. On defense, the Longhorns have elite talent at every level, anchored by a secondary that can go man-to-man with anyone and a front seven that excels in both stopping the run and pressuring the quarterback. Depth, which used to be a concern, is no longer an issue. Texas isn’t just good—they’re deep, disciplined, and dangerous.
Off the field, the program’s trajectory is just as impressive. With the move to the SEC now fully realized, Texas is no longer facing questions about whether it can hang with the nation’s best week in and week out. The gauntlet of the SEC is real, but so is the Longhorns’ ability to meet it head-on. Television contracts, NIL opportunities, and a national recruiting reach are all working in Texas’s favor. Add to that the nearly unmatched resources of the Texas athletic department, and you have a blueprint for sustained success—not just this season, but for years to come.
Still, being No. 1 in the preseason is a double-edged sword. Every opponent will treat their matchup with Texas as a chance to shock the world. Upsets happen, injuries occur, and maintaining focus over the grind of a long season is its own battle. The Longhorns know this, and their ability to stay grounded despite the hype will be tested weekly. But that’s the price of success, and for a program that has waited so long to return to the national spotlight, it’s a price they’ll gladly pay.
The national media’s embrace of Texas as the top team also reflects a broader shift in the college football landscape. For years, the sport has been dominated by a small group of perennial powerhouses: Alabama, Georgia, Clemson, and Ohio State. While those programs remain formidable, Texas’s rise injects new energy and unpredictability into the title race. Parity may be elusive, but fresh faces at the top help keep the sport engaging. A dominant Texas isn’t just good for Austin—it’s good for college football as a whole.
Fans have responded with the kind of enthusiasm you’d expect from a program starved for validation. Social media lit up with celebration the moment the poll was released. Local news coverage treated the ranking like breaking news. Ticket demand surged, merchandise flew off shelves, and season expectations—already high—reached a fever pitch. There’s a palpable sense that this could be the year everything comes together. That this time, “Texas is back” isn’t a meme or a punchline—it’s the truth.
But amidst the celebrations, there remains a healthy awareness of what lies ahead. Being ranked No. 1 in August means nothing if you aren’t still in the conversation come January. The schedule will be brutal. The SEC offers no easy weeks. Rivals will be eager to spoil the party. Injuries, weather, and plain bad luck can derail even the most promising seasons. The true test of this team’s mettle will come not in how they start, but in how they finish. Can they live up to the hype? Can they win the close games? Can they stay mentally and physically sharp through a long and grueling campaign?
The players believe they can. The coaches believe it. The fans believe it. Now, with the weight of history on their shoulders and the eyes of the college football world upon them, the Longhorns will set out to prove it. Every game will be a showcase, every mistake magnified, every win a step toward fulfilling the immense potential this team has carried for years. Texas doesn’t just want to be No. 1 in August—they want to be No. 1 in January, holding up the trophy that confirms what the poll has already suggested: that the Longhorns are truly back, and perhaps here to stay.
In the ever-changing, often unforgiving world of college football, preseason accolades can be fleeting. But they also represent something more enduring—respect, belief, and a recognition of greatness. For Texas to earn the top spot in the US LBM Coaches Poll for the first time in school history is a moment decades in the making. It’s a triumph of resilience, planning, and execution. And it sets the stage for a season that could redefine what it means to wear burnt orange. The road ahead will be treacherous, but for the first time in a long time, the Longhorns don’t just have a map—they have a target on their backs and a chance to make history.
