On Monday, the 2025 Preseason US LBM Coaches Poll was released. And for the first time ever in program history, the Texas Longhorns are your No. 1 team.
Steve Sarkisian's program is among the early favorites in a crowded and unproven SEC. Texas was voted first by 28 of the 67 panelists in this year’s poll. The No. 2 team is the opponent Week 1 when the Longhorns travel to Ohio State August 30.
The defending national champions received 20 first-place votes heading an almost equally crowded field of Big Ten contenders. The No. 1 vs No. 2 matchup in the season opener is unprecedented. Since college football polls started in 1936, there has never been a No. 1 vs No. 2 game in Week 1. Texas is 4-2-1 all-time in these exact matchups.
NEW The Preseason Coaches Poll just dropped!
— CBS Sports College Football (@CBSSportsCFB) August 4, 2025
Who should be higher? pic.twitter.com/klBAic09So
Despite possibly fielding his most talented roster yet, history is not on Steve Sarkisian's side when it comes to these things.
Being ranked No. 1 in a preseason poll hasn't always meant you're going to hold up a trophy after the last game of the college football season. In the past 10 seasons, only one preseason Coaches Poll No. 1 (2017 Alabama) has gone on to win the national championship. In fact, two of the last three failed to make the College Football Playoff at all.
2023 Georgia went 13-1 and 2022 Alabama finished 11-2.
Texas' Week 1 opponent has a talented roster, but some aren't sold on the defending national champs. In fact, the Athletic's Scott Dochterman thinks the Buckeyes are "overrated".
"There’s no denying the Buckeyes’ talent, which includes the nation’s best offensive player (receiver Jeremiah Smith) and defensive player (safety Caleb Downs). But Ohio State returns only six starters and had 14 players selected in the NFL Draft this spring, including the entire starting defensive line. Uber-talented redshirt freshman quarterback Julian Sayin has thrown just 12 career passes. Starting at No. 2 is a little rich based on the resume."
"It pains me to say this, but Texas missing the playoff at +220 is absolutely in play and, honestly, kind of enticing. Arch Manning might be the future for this team, but his first road start comes at Ohio State, where the Buckeyes have gone 27-3 since 2021," Pamela Maldonado said. "Later, Texas travels to Georgia and Florida. That's already three potential landmines. Add in tricky road trips against Kentucky and Mississippi State, and the Longhorns' schedule starts to feel less like a march to the CFP and more like a minefield.
"Even the finale against Texas A&M feels like a coin flip. With a new offensive line, young pass-catchers, and a defense patching holes in the middle, the value lies in the doubt," Maldonado said. "If +220 doesn't pop enough, there are plenty of Saturdays to back the underdog against Texas. The Longhorns have talent but their path to the playoff is anything but smooth. Fading the hype might just be the smarter play."
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