What Texas Must Do to Win the 2025 National Championship According to ESPN’s Three Critical Keys for Longhorns Success
As the Texas Longhorns enter the 2025 college football season, expectations have never been higher in the Steve Sarkisian era. After a College Football Playoff appearance in 2024 and a program-defining recruiting run, the Horns now sit on the doorstep of championship contention. No longer just a sleeping giant or a rebuilding blueblood, Texas is officially in the national title conversation. With the move to the SEC complete and the roster loaded with elite talent, the question in Austin has shifted from “Can they compete?” to “Can they win it all?”
According to ESPN analysts, three critical factors will determine whether Texas can turn potential into a national championship. These aren’t small tweaks or marginal improvements—they are major areas of focus that will ultimately decide the fate of the Longhorns’ 2025 season. The foundation has been laid. The talent is undeniable. But winning a national title requires more than stars and stats—it takes execution, leadership, and a relentless commitment to excellence.
The first and most important key, according to ESPN, is quarterback play. With Arch Manning stepping into the spotlight as the full-time starter, the pressure and potential are both immense. Manning, one of the most heralded quarterback prospects in college football history, has had time to develop behind the scenes. He saw limited action in 2024, learning Sarkisian’s offense and adjusting to the speed of the college game. Now, the keys to the program are in his hands.
For Texas to win a national championship, Manning must not only perform well—he must play like a seasoned star. The bar is high. He needs to deliver in high-leverage moments, protect the football, and elevate his teammates. ESPN’s analysis points out that most championship teams over the last decade had elite quarterback play during their title runs. From Joe Burrow to Trevor Lawrence to Bryce Young, the formula is clear: you need a quarterback who can carry the team when necessary. Arch Manning must be that guy.
There’s no denying his tools. Manning has the arm strength, accuracy, and football IQ to thrive in Sarkisian’s offense. What remains to be seen is how he handles the pressure. The expectations that come with his name, combined with the scrutiny that accompanies a national title run, will test his composure. But sources inside the Texas program suggest he’s more than ready. Teammates describe him as mature beyond his years, a true leader who commands the huddle and embraces responsibility.
Still, performance under pressure is the ultimate measure. Manning will need to deliver on the road in the SEC, thrive in rivalry games, and shine in the playoff spotlight. He doesn’t need to be perfect—but he does need to be great when it counts. If he can become a top-tier quarterback by midseason, the Longhorns will be difficult to stop.
The second key ESPN identifies is defensive consistency and playmaking. While Texas’ defense made major strides in 2024, including improved tackling, better gap discipline, and increased aggression, there’s still room for growth—especially against top-tier opponents. In today’s college football, even elite offenses get stopped if defenses can create chaos: sacks, turnovers, and critical third-down stops.
Under defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski, the Longhorns have evolved into a disciplined, physical unit. The defensive line, anchored by returning stars and new additions from the transfer portal, should be among the best in the SEC. Linebacker play is expected to be a strength, with experienced leaders capable of anchoring the middle of the field. The secondary, long a question mark for Texas, now boasts more depth and athleticism than at any point in recent memory.
But ESPN notes that to win a national championship, it’s not enough to be “solid” on defense. You have to be disruptive. Texas needs to become elite at creating negative plays—tackles for loss, strip sacks, interceptions. Against teams like Alabama, Georgia, or even a high-powered Oregon or Ohio State, the ability to swing momentum with a single defensive play can decide a game. Last season, Texas had flashes of that, but not with the consistency of an Alabama or Michigan. That has to change in 2025.
Additionally, the defense will need to hold strong in late-game situations. Championship teams finish. They get stops in the fourth quarter. They bend, but don’t break. Texas has the talent on that side of the ball; now it’s about mindset and execution. If the Longhorns can force more turnovers and improve in red-zone defense, they’ll have the balance required to win it all.
The third and final key ESPN emphasizes is composure in big moments—particularly in the SEC gauntlet and the College Football Playoff. Every championship team faces adversity. Whether it’s a hostile road environment, an injury to a key player, or a momentum-swinging turnover, the path to a title is never smooth. The question is: how will Texas respond?
This is where culture, leadership, and experience come into play. Sarkisian has built a locker room full of competitors—players who expect to win and who take ownership when things go wrong. That’s a huge part of the transformation Texas has undergone since Sark’s arrival. The program no longer folds under pressure. But the pressure in 2025 will be unlike anything the team has experienced before.
The SEC schedule alone is brutal, featuring trips to Baton Rouge, Knoxville, and Tuscaloosa. Then there’s the annual Red River Showdown against Oklahoma, now also an SEC member and a potential playoff contender. If Texas makes it through the regular season, they’ll still need to win in the SEC Championship and likely two more games in the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff. That’s at least four or five top-10 matchups in a span of weeks.
Composure in those games is paramount. It means limiting penalties, avoiding turnovers, and staying focused when the crowd is loud and the stakes are massive. Texas can’t afford slow starts or mental lapses. The best teams in college football are mentally sharp from whistle to whistle, and that’s the standard the Longhorns must meet. ESPN’s experts believe this will be the true litmus test for Texas. It’s not about raw talent anymore—it’s about precision, maturity, and resilience.
Steve Sarkisian will play a critical role here. His game planning, clock management, and in-game adjustments will be tested in every big game. He’s evolved as a coach since his early days at Washington and USC, but the national championship stage is different. Sarkisian must be bold but balanced, aggressive yet in control. The good news? He’s been there before, having won a national title as Alabama’s offensive coordinator. Now, he must do it as the leader of his own program.
Beyond the three major keys, there are secondary factors that could influence Texas’ title hopes. Special teams must be sharp, particularly in field position battles. Injuries must be managed carefully—depth will be tested over a long season. The offensive line must stay healthy and cohesive. And the Longhorns must avoid trap games and letdowns against lesser opponents. Every week matters now. Every snap is part of the championship journey.
The 2025 Longhorns have the look of a complete team. They have star power, from Arch Manning to Xavier Worthy to standout defenders like Anthony Hill Jr. and T’Vondre Sweat. They have experience, leadership, and continuity on the coaching staff. They have the hunger that comes from being close but not quite good enough. And they have the opportunity to define a generation of Texas football.
The question isn’t whether Texas can win the national championship—it’s whether they will. According to ESPN, it all comes down to those three keys: elite quarterback play from Arch Manning, a defense that not only holds up but makes game-changing plays, and the mental toughness to thrive in pressure-packed moments. If the Longhorns can check those boxes, there’s no reason they can’t lift the trophy in January.
For fans in Austin, hope has finally given way to belief. The time is now. The path is clear. The only thing left is execution. And if Texas rises to the occasion, the 2025 season could go down as one of the greatest in college football history.
