Texas making it back to the College Football Playoff? Here are 5 keys to make it happen

AUSTIN - In two of the past three seasons,  Texas football has counted itself among the best teams in the country. The Longhorns made their first appearance in the 2023 College Football Playoff when only four teams made the cut. Texas was again in the playoff one year later when it reached the semifinals in a field that had expanded to 12 teams.

But last year, Texas stumbled. The Longhorns were considered a championship contender by both media members and coaches, but went 9-3 during the regular season and had to settle for the Citrus Bowl instead of a playoff spot.

This fall, Texas is again considered a CFP contender. The Longhorns were fifth in the preseason Associated Press poll and are ranked No. 4 in the coaches' poll .

Those polls, though, won't matter much once the season kicks off. The Longhorns will have to settle things on the field. Here are five things that may need to happen if Texas is to get back into the CFP this season:

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1. QB Arch Manning's momentum carries over from 2025

The start of Manning's first season as the full-time starter didn't go well. Texas lost two of its first five games last season, Manning wasn't the reason why the Longhorns recorded a win over lowly UTEP and following a 29-21 loss at Florida, one national publication  wondered if the heralded quarterback was a "flop."

Down the stretch, though, Manning lived up to the hype. As Texas went 7-1 over its last eight games, Manning threw for 2,012 yards, 15 touchdowns and just two interceptions while posting a completion percentage of at least 60.0% in six of those games. He also caught a touchdown pass and broke off a 60-yard scoring run in Texas' final three games.

2. Texas must survive the month of November

Texas won't have the luxury of putting things in cruise control as it tries to secure a CFP berth. In November, the Longhorns must travel to Missouri, LSU and Texas A&M - teams that were all ranked to start the season. Texas also will host a rivalry game when Arkansas comes to town Nov. 21.

Receiver Cam Coleman, an addition through the transfer portal from Auburn, is among the notable newcomers as Texas looks to return to the College Football Playoff after missing out in 2025. (Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman)

3. Texas looks as good on the field as it does on paper

Thanks to a 25-player recruiting class that ranked No. 6 nationally on 247Sports' composite and the addition of more than 20 transfers, Texas remade its roster with the nation's No. 3-ranked transfer class. The offensive backfield, receiving corps and offensive line all will have a different look this fall, and plenty of new faces have been added to the defense as well.

In order to make room for its newcomers, Texas had to say goodbye to some contributors. Was this addition by subtraction? Only time will tell. But if the math doesn't add up - and plenty of comparisons will be made throughout the year between the newcomers and Longhorns who transferred to different schools - Texas could be in for a long season.

2026 TEXAS SCHEDULE

Sept. 5: vs. Texas State, 2:30 p.m. (ESPN) Sept. 12: vs. Ohio State, 6:30 p.m. (ABC) Sept. 19: vs. UTSA, 7 p.m. (SECN+) Sept. 26: at Tennessee, 11 a.m. (ABC or ESPN) Oct. 10: vs. Oklahoma at Dallas, 2:30 p.m. (ABC or ESPN) Oct. 17: vs. Florida, time and TV TBD Oct. 24: vs. Mississippi, time and TV TBD Oct. 31: vs. Mississippi State, time and TV TBD Nov. 7: at Missouri, time and TV TBD Nov. 14: at LSU, time and TV TBD Nov. 21: vs. Arkansas, time and TV TBD Nov. 27: at Texas A&M, 6:30 p.m. (ABC)

4. Texas doesn't end up the highlight reel for too many Heisman Trophy candidates

As of Aug. 5, FanDuel had six of the 15 best odds for the Heisman Trophy belonging to players Texas will face this season: Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin, Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss, Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, LSU quarterback Sam Leavitt, Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer and Texas A&M quarterback Marcel Reed .

Of the 91 Heisman winners, 15 faced Texas during their award-winning campaigns with LSU's Joe Burrow being the last to do so in 2019. New UT defensive coordinator Will Muschamp will be tasked with making sure that none of these candidates catch the attention of Heisman Trophy voters with a standout p...

Indexed and credited by AIPROPX. Originating outlet: Yahoo Sports. Open at source →