The Texas Longhorns might have the most memorable moment in college football history: QB Vince Young sprinted into the end zone on fourth down in the 2005 Rose Bowl to beat USC and win the National Championship. Texas has a long history of winning, going back to the 1960s.
But how do they stack up against their blue-blood peers in playoff appearances?
Texas Playoff Appearances and Results by Year
- 2023-24
- Sugar Bowl: Loss, 37-31 vs. Washington
Texas’ first College Football Playoff appearance was on Jan. 1, 2024, as the Longhorns took on the Washington Huskies. Since the Playoff began in 2014-15, Texas has only won 10 games once until the 2023 season. They earned the No. 3 seed in the 2023-24 Playoff.
In thrilling fashion, the Longhorns couldn’t quite overcome a sluggish third quarter in the Sugar Bowl. They fell to the Huskies by six points, as an end zone fade to AD Mitchell fell incomplete as time expired.
Texas Playoff History FAQ
What’s Texas’ Playoff Win-Loss Record?
The Texas Longhorns’ playoff record is 0-1, as they have just completed their first appearance in the College Football Playoff since its inception in 2014.
The closest the Longhorns had previously ome to making the CFP was in 2018, when they finished the regular season with a 9-3 record and won the Big 12 Championship Game over Oklahoma, 39-27. However, they were ranked No. 5 in the final CFP rankings, behind Alabama, Clemson, Notre Dame, and Oklahoma.
They missed the cut by one spot. They settled for a Sugar Bowl appearance, where they beat Georgia, 28-21.
MORE: Texas 2024 Football Schedule
How Many Times Has Texas Been to the College Football Playoffs?
Texas had yet to make its first appearance in the College Football Playoffs prior to the 2023-24 season. Texas has played in six bowl games since the CFP was created, and now with their first CFP appearance, they’ve played in two New Year’s Six games in that timeframe.
They beat No. 6 Georgia 28-21 in 2018-19, and QB Sam Ehlinger was the game’s MVP.
How Many National Championship Appearances Do the Longhorns Have?
The Longhorns have made four National Championship appearances in the Division I-A/FBS era, which began in 1958. However, they do not have a National Championship contest under their belt since the CFP began in 2014.
How Many National Championships have the Longhorns won?
Although Texas has yet to win a title in the CFP era, they’ve had success over the last 60-plus years.
Texas won their first title in 1963, when they defeated Navy, 28-6, in the Cotton Bowl Classic. In the same bowl game, they won their second title in 1969 when they defeated Notre Dame, 21-17. Their third title was in 1970 when the UPI poll awarded the national championship, despite losing to Notre Dame, 24-11, in the Cotton Bowl Classic.
Finally, Texas won their fourth and most recent title in 2005, when they defeated USC, 41-38, in the Rose Bowl, which was also the BCS National Championship Game.
When Was the Last Time the Longhorns Made the National Championship Game?
Texas last made the National Championship in 2010, losing to Alabama 37-21. The Longhorns were ranked No. 2 in both the AP and BCS polls, while Alabama was ranked No. 1.
Texas quarterback Colt McCoy was injured on the game’s first drive and was replaced by freshman Garrett Gilbert, who threw for 186 yards, two touchdowns, and four interceptions. Mark Ingram, the Alabama running back, was named the game’s MVP after rushing for 116 yards and scoring two touchdowns.
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