High-stakes matchups against Ohio State and LSU could derail Steve Sarkisian’s title ambitions as Arch Manning faces a daunting 2026 schedule with zero margin for error.
"Close'' doesn't matter. Not when you're the Texas Longhorns, who were certainly a College Football Playoff-worthy team a season ago. ...
Except to the committee that makes such decisions.
In the end, they weren’t one of the 12 teams included in the playoff ... maybe in part because they took on the challenge of opening the season at season at Ohio State, which resulted in a tough loss.
Here comes 2026. Another chance. Oh, and another game against the Buckeyes, though this tough schedule features a home game against powerful Ohio State.
And one media outlet is predicting another loss - a loss that could again keep UT out of the playoffs.
CBS Sports predicts the Longhorns will go 10-2 in the regular season, as they will record wins over Texas State, UTSA, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Florida, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Missouri, Arkansas and Texas A&M.
Beating OU would be fun. Beating the Aggies would be fun.
But ... They have the Longhorns losing to Ohio State and LSU.
“It is title-or-bust for Steve Sarkisian this season in Austin,” wrote CBS Sports. “Last year, the Longhorns underachieved and missed the playoff. With Arch Manning coming back and all the talent acquired on what is one of the nation’s most expensive rosters, the Longhorns need to make a run in 2026.''
We would dispute the overly dramatic talk that includes buzzwords and phrases like "need'' and "must'' and "title or bust.'' If the Arch Manning-led Longhorns don't win the national title, what's the "bust''?
Everybody gets fired? The program is disbanded? What?
UT fans can hope that a 10-2 record will get Texas into the playoff (though the CFP committee left a 10-win SEC team out last season in the form of Vanderbilt). But a better hope?
Don't lose to Ohio State. And don't lose to LSU.
