The Texas Longhorns (4-2) are back in the conversation for College Football Playoff contention for now after a huge win over the Oklahoma Sooners (5-1), 23-6. Now they move to an important three-game stretch that will test their ability to handle success.

The Longhorns will face no shortage of praise over the next few days following the win. Now, they'll have to maintain focus against opponents of lesser pedigree.

Texas is set to take on the Kentucky Wildcats next, followed by the Mississippi State Bulldogs and Vanderbilt Commodores.

Kentucky is the soonest, most immediate threat. They are perhaps the easiest of the three opponents to overlook. This year, Kentucky quarterbacks Cutter Boley and Zach Calzada have combined to complete 52.9% of their passing attempts for 861 yards, four touchdowns, and four interceptions. For reference, Texas quarterback has completed 63% for 1,317 yards, 12 touchdown passes and five interceptions.

The Wildcats do not appear to be on the way to a special season. So far, they are 2-3 with wins over Toledo and Eastern Michigan. In their three losses to Ole Miss, Georgia and South Carolina, the team was outscored by a combined 50 points. Both Georgia and South Carolina defeated Kentucky by 20 or more points.

Whether or not they will put up a fight vs. the Longhorns is still to be seen, but cannot be ruled out. Last year, Kentucky nearly upset the Georgia Bulldogs in Lexington before pulling an upset over Ole Miss later that year.

Mississippi State and Vanderbilt may not go that far under the radar. The Bulldogs sit at 4-2 after a near-upset win over the Tennessee Volunteers earlier this year.

Vanderbilt's upset ability is well known after defeating the Alabama Crimson Tide last year. Star quarterback led the Commodores' 2024 resurgence and helped the team reach the Top 25 this season with an early 31-7 win over South Carolina.

The three-game sample will say everything we need to know about the Texas Longhorns in 2025. New leaders and contributors will have to prove they can perform as well with a target on their backs as the stars that left Texas for the NFL last offseason.

If Texas gets through the games unscathed, it will make it to the bye week with a 7-2 record. Then the team will face the No. 9 Georgia Bulldogs and No. 4 Texas A&M Aggies. Should the Longhorns get to the Georgia game with just two losses, it could set up for an exciting finish to the season.