Texas Back in the CFP Picture: ESPN Tabs Longhorns as 2026–27 Playoff Team

Hype-Driven

Despite a frustrating end to the 2025–2026 college football season, Texas football is already being positioned as a College Football Playoff contender once again. According to a new prediction released by ESPN, the Longhorns are projected to be among the 12-team College Football Playoff field for the upcoming 2026–2027 season a nod that both validates Texas’ trajectory and reopens the debate about what should have been last year.

The Longhorns closed the 2025–2026 campaign with a three-loss record, a mark that ultimately proved costly when the CFP committee released its final rankings. Many around college football believed Texas had done enough to earn a playoff spot, but the committee saw things differently, leaving the Longhorns on the outside looking in. The decision sparked backlash from fans and analysts alike, who pointed to Texas’ strength of schedule and overall competitiveness as reasons they deserved inclusion.

Still, Steve Sarkisian’s squad refused to let disappointment define its season.

Texas finished the year on a high note, earning a statement bowl victory over Michigan, one of the sport’s most storied programs. That win not only helped restore some pride but also served as a reminder of the Longhorns’ ability to compete with elite competition on a national stage. It was a fitting conclusion to a season that felt unfinished and perhaps a preview of what’s to come

Now, as attention turns toward the next kick off later this year, optimism is already building in Austin. And if ESPN’s latest projections are any indication, that optimism may be well-founded.

ESPN Sees Texas Back in the CFP Picture

In its early outlook for the 2026–2027 season, ESPN listed Texas as one of the 12 programs expected to qualify for the expanded College Football Playoff. The prediction places the Longhorns squarely among college football’s elite, signalling confidence in both the program’s roster strength and its overall direction.

For Texas fans, the projection feels less like a surprise and more like overdue recognition.

“This is where Texas should have been this season,” is a sentiment echoed across the fanbase. The expanded playoff format was designed to give teams like Texas strong, battle-tested programs that survive gruelling schedules a fairer shot at competing for a national title. ESPN’s projection suggests that next season, the margin for error may finally work in the Longhorns’ favour.

A Program Trending Upward

Texas’ inclusion in early CFP predictions reflects more than just preseason hype. Under Sarkisian, the Longhorns have steadily built depth, improved consistency, and recruited at an elite level. While the three-loss season raised questions, it also demonstrated Texas’ resilience, particularly in high-pressure moments late in the year.

The bowl win over Michigan served as tangible proof of progress. Against a physical, disciplined opponent, Texas showcased balance, execution, and toughness traits essential for postseason success. That performance has clearly stuck with national analysts as they evaluate the landscape for next season.

Additionally, Texas’ move into a more demanding competitive environment has strengthened its national profile. Week after week, the Longhorns are tested, and that exposure continues to shape them into a more complete football team.

Revenge on the Horizon

There’s also an emotional edge fuelling the early excitement.

After being left out of the playoff conversation last season, Texas enters the new year with a chip on its shoulder. Players and coaches alike have not forgotten how the 2025–2026 season ended. That sense of being “shafted” by the CFP committee could serve as powerful motivation, the kind that transforms close losses into wins and good teams into great ones.

If ESPN’s projection proves accurate, Texas won’t just be fighting for inclusion next season, it will be fighting for legitimacy, redemption, and ultimately, a national championship opportunity.

Is It Too Early for Longhorns Hype?

The answer, at least for now, appears to be no.

While preseason projections are far from guarantees, they offer a snapshot of how the national media views a program’s standing. And right now, Texas football is viewed as a playoff-caliber team, poised to capitalize on unfinished business.

For a fanbase that felt robbed just months ago, the message is clear: the door is still open.

And next time, revenge might indeed be sweet.