2026 Texas Football Preview
Jake Wimberly
Abby Boyd Contributing-
What’s to like:
Texas enters the season as one of the favorites to win it all. Steve Sarkisian has built one of the nation’s most explosive offenses, and with quarterback Arch Manning returning after a full season as starter, the Longhorns should once again be one of the toughest offenses to defend. Manning’s combination of arm strength, mobility, and experience gives Texas one of the conference’s top quarterbacks heading into the season.
The Longhorns are also loaded with talent on the defensive side. Texas has recruited at an elite level for several years, especially long the defensive front and in the secondary. That depth should allow Texas to match up well against physical opponents.
What’s not to like:
Texas has to replace several starters along the offensive line. While the Longhorns have recruited well enough to fill those spots, building chemistry is a necessity, especially up front. A few growing pains could make life more difficult for an offense that has very few question marks elsewhere.
Texas will also have to handle the pressure that comes with being one of the SEC’s top teams. Last year it seemed the pressure got to them, even though they performed well, it wasn’t what people were expecting. Every opponent will be looking to knock off the Longhorns.
What does the Hourglass say?
Texas- SEC (12-0)
Power ranking 138.84. The 4th toughest schedule in the SEC.
2026 Texas Analytics
National recruiting rating (three year metric): #3- inside the boundary of a National Championship Roster.
National Coaching Ranking:
Steve Sarkisian- 4th in Power 5 and 2nd in the SEC.
2026 coaching value= 38.2 (average 2026 Power 5 coaching value=21.93) Steve Sarkisian is ranked higher of the pack for coaches in the Power 5.
Quarterback Play: Arch Manning- ranked 3rd in the Power 4, 1st in the SEC; 2026 QB value= 48.7 (Power 4 average- 26.43).
Impact Ball Catcher Metric: Texas has an Impact Ball Catcher Metric of 4. This puts the Longhorns at the upper tier for the SEC in this metric.
Final Thoughts:
Head Coach Steve Sarkisian has Texas positioned as one of the favorites in the SEC heading into the new season. With Arch Manning returning at quarterback and another talented roster, the Longhorns have all the tools to compete for a national championship. Replacing key players will be an important challenge, but Texas has the depth to remain elite.
2026 Schedule analysis:
Projected Hourglass W/L record: Games in red denote games that could be a one possession game or even a different outcome than projection.
9/5/26 Texas State- Win
9/12/26 Ohio State
9/19/26 UTSA- Win
9/26/26 At Tennessee
10/10/26 At Oklahoma- Win
10/17/26 Florida- Win
10/24/26 Ole Miss- Win
10/31/26 Mississippi State- Win
11/7/26 At Missouri- Win
11/14/26 At LSU- Win
11/21/26 Arkansas- Win
11/27/26 At Texas A&M- Win
