With the transfer portal closed and spring practices over, the Texas Longhorns have secured the No. 4 ranking in our 2025 power rankings.
All eyes are on Austin as QB Arch Manning steps into the spotlight — but the Longhorns’ defense, not their quarterback, has the means to define their season. Is No. 4 too high, too low, or just right for a team with playoff aspirations? Let’s discuss.
Texas Secures No. 4 Rank In College Sports Network’s 2025 Power Rankings
The loss of QB Quinn Ewers, who threw for 3,479 yards in 2024, and some other key offensive pieces raises concerns for the team as they get closer to 2025. Other than that, the Longhorns will face a rough path this season, with road games at Ohio State and Texas A&M, plus a home clash with Georgia.
91 Days 🤘@eburke4lax pic.twitter.com/HZpQll1M7Q
— Texas Football (@TexasFootball) May 31, 2025
Experts give Texas a 61% chance of a 10-2 record, but their 12th-ranked strength of schedule could expose offensive weak points.
That is why we think placing Texas behind teams like Ohio State, Clemson, and Oregon, with proven quarterbacks or softer schedules, makes sense.
Texas’s Underrated 2025 Defense
Texas’s 2024 defense was a force, ranking among the nation’s best by allowing just 4.8 yards per play. Key pieces of this defense return in 2025, making this unit the backbone of the Longhorns’ ambitions.
Freshman sensation Colin Simmons, who notched 7.5 sacks in 2024, is all set for a breakout year, with analysts projecting him as a top-five talent. Linebacker Anthony Hill Jr., a Dallas-area native, brings versatility to the table with 67 tackles and four sacks last season.
Trey Moore, who is looking forward to breaking the program’s career sack record, is predicted to add a lot of pressure on the opponent in the new season. Safety Michael Taaffe anchors a secondary that held opponents to 188 passing yards per game in 2024.
Longhorns Facing Offensive Concerns Despite QB Arch Manning’s Starter Debut
Arch Manning’s ascension to QB1 has been anticipated for a while now, but with his new position, experts are a little concerned.
With only 124 passing yards in limited 2024 playtime, his inexperience can be a factor that may hold them back, especially with Texas losing four starting offensive linemen and top receivers like Isaiah Bond.
RELATED: 2-Time Super Bowl Champion Eli Manning Opens Up On Arch Manning’s Mindset Before Texas QB Era Begins
Running backs Quintrevion Wisner and CJ Baxter may provide some stability. Receiver Ryan Wingo, despite a spring injury, is a breakout candidate after 412 yards as a freshman.
The Longhorns’ brutal schedule, including Ohio State and Georgia, will grind this unproven offense to the bone in the season’s early stages.
In the end, Texas’s No. 4 ranking feels like a fair compromise. Their defense is championship-caliber, but offensive uncertainties and a brutal schedule may cause them to fall.
If Manning matures quickly and the defense dominates, Texas could climb higher, perhaps even to No. 1. For now, No. 4 captures their potential without ignoring the risks. As the season kicks off, the Longhorns will need to prove they’re more than just hype.
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