Texas teams join distinguished group

By Josh Ortega

With schools back in full swing, the Associated Press released its preseason Top 25 Poll ranking the top 25 College Football programs heading into the 2026 season, which kicks off this week. Five schools from Texas were ranked across the distinguished group in the poll. Here are the school’s rank and expectations heading into the season.

No. 5: The Texas Longhorns

A year ago, the Longhorns found themselves at the very top of the preseason poll as the No.1 team in the country, with the preseason frontrunner for the Heisman Trophy, QB Arch Manning, in his first full-time season under center.

Ultimately, a lot of change on the offensive line. The wide receiver core and tough numbers in the run game turned the hype into more of a weight. The team struggled in a 10-3 season. Texas narrowly missed out on the playoff. Heading into this season, expectations are still high, but the team has made a plethora of moves to avoid an early setback.

The Longhorns grabbed WR Cam Coleman in the transfer portal. He comes to Austin as a clear wide receiver one for Manning. Texas also added All-Big 12 RB Raleek Brown and NC State RB Hollywood Smooters to bolster the backfield.

On defense, Texas returns star edge junior Collin Simmons while keeping the team’s leading tackler in safety Jelani McDonald among other key pieces. 

The Longhorns have a challenging schedule which includes games against Ohio State, and road trips to LSU, Tennessee and Texas A&M.

No. 8 The Texas A&M Aggies

Texas A&M rounds out as the second team from Texas in the top 10 of the top 25. Head Coach Mike Elko’s team went 11-2 last season with staple wins against Notre Dame, LSU and Missouri throughout the calendar. However, as one of the nation’s top teams, a loss to rival Texas to end the calendar.

A&M faced Miami in the first round of the playoff, where the Hurricanes stunned A&M 10-3 to move on. With that, the Aggies return key pieces that helped them have their best season in more than a decade.

Quarterback Marcel Reed returns after breaking out last season along with his number one target, WR Mario Craver. A&M added Alabama WR Isaiah Horton while adding defensive pieces via the portal.

Historically, Kyle Field is one of the loudest places in the country, but A&M will have to navigate road matches against Oklahoma, Alabama and LSU.

No. 12 The Texas Tech 

Red Raiders

After securing the school’s first-ever Big 12 title, the Texas Tech Red Raiders were knocked out in the Orange Bowl by Oregon in the quarterfinal of the playoff. 

The offseason that followed involved turnover and a saga no one in Lubbock expected. After securing Cincinnati QB Brendan Sorsby to start at quarterback, Tech parted ways with the North Texas native after a gambling scandal.

Nonetheless, with so many key pieces moving on to the NFL, Head Coach Joey McGuire and his staff added several veteran pieces to help fill the void.

Tech named sophomore QB Will Hammond as the starter in late July. The Red Raiders return both RB’s Cameron Dickey and J’Koby Williams, who rushed for over 2,000 yards last season. 

While adding junior running back Quinten Joyner into the mix — who missed all last season with injury — The Red Raiders have a three-headed monster in the backfield. Tech returns tight end Terrance Ferguson and wide receiver Micah Hudson, who are both set to have breakout seasons in Lubbock.

Tech will have key matchups against Houston and Oklahoma State while being right in the mix for the top of the Big 12 once again.

No. 19 The SMU Mustangs

SMU secured its first bowl win since 2012 to end the season in the Trust & Will Holiday Bowl against Arizona. The Mustangs are looking to continue to make more waves in the conference.

SMU returns senior QB Kevin Jennings, who has been pivotal in SMU’s ascension. SMU added Cal RB Kendrick Rapael, along with Alabama WR Jalen Halen to pair with senior wide receiver Yamir Knight who broke out toward the tail end of last season. SMU also has a strong core along the offensive line in tackle PJ Williams and senior center Josh Bates.

The biggest question mark will be on defense heading into the year. The Mustangs lost all their essentially starting five along the defensive line to the NFL Draft. With numerous returning pieces and adds via the portal, both sides of the ball will be pivotal during crucial stretches of the season from the jump.

SMU has key matchups against Louisville, Virginia Tech and Notre Dame across the calendar.

No. 23 The Houston Cougars

After starting the season 8-1, Head Coach Willie Friz’s Houston team suffered two key losses to West Virginia and TCU that took the Cougars out of potential Big 12 Championship status. 

The Cougars retained quarterback Conner Weigman, who threw for over 2,000 yards with 25 touchdowns to just nine interceptions last season. Houston retains a lot of key pieces that made them successful last season. Houston held on to Amare Thomas, who led the team in receiving last season with 966 yards and 12 touchdowns.

Houston also added former Oregon running back Makhi Hughes, who eclipsed over 1,000 yards twice under Friz during his time at Tulane. On defense, the team are retaining linebacker Brandon Mack. He was second on the team in sacks. Houston also kept defensive back Kentrell Webb who had 70-plus tackles last season.

Houston will have notable games against Texas Tech, Oklahoma State, Utah and Baylor as Friz’s team looks to continue to ascend in the Big 12 once again.