After reaching the College Football Playoff semifinals back-to-back seasons, Texas is facing higher expectations than ever. During an appearance on McElroy and Cubelic in the Morning, Paul Finebaum revealed whether he believes the Longhorns are worthy of the hype. “They have been so good for a couple of years. They’ve recruited well, they’ve done well […]
After reaching the College Football Playoff semifinals back-to-back seasons, Texas is facing higher expectations than ever. During an appearance on McElroy and Cubelic in the Morning, Paul Finebaum revealed whether he believes the Longhorns are worthy of the hype.
“They have been so good for a couple of years. They’ve recruited well, they’ve done well almost every year, and I think Sarkisian brought some of this on by talking about his roster,” Finebaum said. “We all react to it. I mean, everybody gets a little more interested when we see that first poll, and I think we’ll be more interested a couple weeks from now when the AP Poll comes out.
“I think in Texas’ case, they just have gotten there by virtue of being the team that’s been to the playoffs the last two years. I can talk in circles for the rest of the time, but I know you have other guests, but it’s just a perception. And yesterday was the first time that Alabama didn’t get the benefit of the doubt. Somebody said to me yesterday, ‘Where would Alabama be with the exact same roster and Nick Saban as coach?'”
Texas was the top-ranked team in USA Today‘s preseason Top 25 rankings, via the Coaches Poll. Evidently, Finebaum believes the Longhorns’ ranking is as much due to their history as the talent on their roster.
Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian hasn’t given his fellow coaches any reason to doubt the Longhorns will be back in the national championship conversation this year. Meanwhile, Ohio State and Penn State, which were ranked No. 2 and 3, respectively — haven’t been nearly as consistent the last three seasons.
While Texas is receiving the benefit of the doubt, it has some areas of concern heading into the 2025 campaign. Most notably, the team is only returning three starters on offense, including just one of its offensive linemen.
Quarterback Arch Manning‘s name is carrying nearly as much weight as Sarkisian’s. Despite only having limited experience, Manning’s name has analysts expecting nothing short of greatness.
Manning looked the part last season when he made two starts while Quinn Ewers was out with an injury. However, he never had to lead the Longhorns against elite opponents like the Ohio State Buckeyes, who Texas will square off against in its season-opener.
The college football world will find out immediately if the Longhorns are legitimate. On Aug. 30, Texas will take on Ohio State at noon ET. The game will air live on FOX.
Category: General Sports
