Breaking History: Texas Longhorns Claim First Ever Preseason AP Number One Ranking And Set Sights On Championship Glory In Upcoming Season
BREAKING: For the first time in program history, the Texas Longhorns will open the college football season as the No. 1 team in the Associated Press Top 25 poll. In a sport built on tradition, legacy, and fierce competition, this is a moment of pure electricity for the burnt orange faithful—a moment decades in the making. Texas, a brand synonymous with passion, power, and pageantry, now stands alone atop the mountain before a single snap of the 2025 season.
Across Austin, the news spread like wildfire. Students flooded social media feeds, horns raised high, hashtags blazing. Alumni beamed with pride, recalling the days of Darrell Royal, Earl Campbell, Vince Young, and Colt McCoy, knowing those legends laid the foundation for this moment. From the towering Texas Tower to the bustling streets around the Drag, the city seemed to hum with a deeper, prouder rhythm.
It’s not as if Texas hasn’t been here in spirit before. This is a program with four recognized national championships, two Heisman Trophy winners, and countless conference titles. But never—not in the glory years of the ‘60s, the championship run of 2005, or the many seasons of dominance in between—had the Longhorns opened the year with the AP’s top spot. That drought, oddly enough, makes this honor even sweeter.
Head coach, who has worked tirelessly to restore the program to national prominence, addressed the team with a measured but passionate message: “Enjoy this moment. You’ve earned the respect. But remember—rankings in August don’t win championships. What you do from here does.” It’s a sentiment that reflects both pride in the team’s accomplishments and an understanding of the gauntlet ahead.
This No. 1 ranking is the culmination of years of building—elite recruiting, meticulous player development, and an unrelenting pursuit of excellence. The roster boasts a balance of experienced veterans and rising stars, each with a role to play in this season’s story. The quarterback room is led by a proven field general, a leader whose composure in high-pressure moments inspires confidence in every huddle. The offensive line is a fortress, physically imposing and technically sound, ready to protect and pave the way for an explosive run game.
At the skill positions, Texas is stacked. The wide receivers have speed to burn, the kind that forces defenses to respect every inch of the field. The running backs bring a punishing yet elusive style, capable of breaking a big gain on any carry. Defensively, the Longhorns feature a disruptive front seven anchored by relentless pass rushers and linebackers with sideline-to-sideline range. The secondary? Aggressive, smart, and opportunistic—the type of unit that can change a game with one perfectly timed play.
But with great power comes great pressure. Being preseason No. 1 paints a massive target on the burnt orange jersey. Every opponent will circle the Texas game on their schedule. Stadiums will be louder, game plans sharper, and the hunger to pull off an upset greater. This isn’t just football anymore—it’s every team’s shot at making their own season historic by toppling the top-ranked Longhorns.
The schedule offers no shortage of challenges. Rivalries old and new will test Texas both physically and mentally. Road games will take the Longhorns into hostile territory, where crowd noise rattles helmets and every mistake is amplified. Conference foes, many of whom have spent the offseason quietly plotting their own rise, will bring everything they have in hopes of shattering Texas’ dream.
Yet this team appears built for such tests. Their leaders have faced adversity, whether in the form of last-second heartbreaks, injury setbacks, or the weight of expectation. They know how to respond when the game is on the line. More importantly, they understand that rankings are earned over and over again—not just in one glorious preseason announcement, but every Saturday from kickoff to the final whistle.
Fans, too, are ready for the challenge. Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium will be a fortress this fall, a deafening wall of burnt orange energy. On the road, Texas fans will travel strong, turning opposing stadiums into patches of orange and white. Every Horns Up salute, every chorus of “Texas Fight” will fuel the players and remind opponents that this isn’t just a football team—it’s a movement.
The Longhorns’ history is dotted with unforgettable seasons, but what sets this year apart is the blend of elite talent, deep experience, and undeniable momentum. Analysts across the country are picking Texas not just for the College Football Playoff, but to lift the national championship trophy. The combination of depth, leadership, and skill is rare, and it’s why Texas finds itself atop the rankings for the first time ever.
Of course, the list of preseason No. 1 teams that fell short is long. The AP’s top spot has proven to be as much a curse as a blessing for many programs. The challenge now is for Texas to embrace the pressure without letting it consume them—to play free, but with purpose; confident, but never complacent.
The players have echoed that sentiment. In interviews, veterans have spoken about focusing on “one game at a time” and “blocking out the noise.” Younger players talk about learning from their elders, about understanding that talent gets you on the field, but discipline keeps you there. The coaching staff has stressed preparation, attention to detail, and maintaining the hunger that got them to this point.
For the fans, this ranking is both a celebration and a call to arms. It’s a chance to revel in the national respect Texas has fought to regain, but also to double down on the support that will be needed to carry the team through the long grind ahead. Every cheer, every tailgate, every late-night debate about playoff scenarios adds to the atmosphere that makes college football—and Texas football in particular—so unique.
The last time Texas won it all, the nation watched Vince Young’s iconic scramble into the corner of the end zone to seal the 2005 national championship. That was 20 seasons ago. For an entire generation of fans, this is the first time they’ve seen the Longhorns start a season as the unquestioned favorite. That combination of youthful excitement and seasoned expectation makes this year’s journey all the more special.
There will be moments of doubt. There will be games where the offense struggles or the defense bends under relentless pressure. There will be calls that go against Texas, injuries that test the depth chart, and opponents who play out of their minds. That’s the reality of chasing perfection in college football. But there’s also the reality that this team is equipped—mentally, physically, and emotionally—to handle those storms and emerge stronger.
For now, Longhorn Nation can savor the moment. The preseason No. 1 ranking is a historic first for a program steeped in history, and it’s a tribute to the work put in by everyone from the athletic department to the walk-on players grinding on the practice field. But come kickoff, the focus will shift. The goal is not to simply hold the top spot—it’s to end the season there, holding a championship trophy high under the lights.
In Texas, expectations are always high. But this year, the bar is set at the very top. The only way forward is to meet those expectations head-on, one game, one quarter, one snap at a time.
The eyes of Texas are upon them. The nation will be watching. And for the first time ever, the Longhorns begin that journey as the AP’s No. 1. The horns are up, the path is clear, and history awaits.
Horns up. Let’s finish what we’ve started.
