How Texas Teams Are Shaping Their Playoff Chances in 2025

Texas’s college football landscape is a dynamic one in the 2025 season, with several teams positioning themselves for a shot at the newly expanded 12-team College Football Playoff. While the Longhorns are leading the charge, other programs like Texas A&M and TCU are also fighting to make their mark. The road to the playoffs is long and filled with challenges, but the potential is there for multiple Texas teams to be in the mix.

The Texas Longhorns: A Title Contender

The Texas Longhorns entered the 2025 season with immense hype and the No. 1 ranking in both the AP and Coaches’ polls. Their preseason top ranking is a testament to the talent and expectations surrounding the program, which is coming off back-to-back College Football Playoff appearances.

The biggest storyline for the Longhorns this season is the anointing of Arch Manning as the starting quarterback. Early Texas Longhorns odds also reflect the high confidence sportsbooks and bettors have in their championship potential.

Manning, a redshirt sophomore and former five-star recruit, is under immense pressure to deliver a national championship, a feat the program hasn’t accomplished since 2005. While his season got off to a rocky start with a loss to Ohio State, he quickly rebounded with a dominant performance against San Jose State, showcasing his dual-threat ability.

One of the key strengths for the Longhorns is their defense. The unit is considered championship-caliber and features standout players like sophomore linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. and pass rusher Colin Simmons.

The defense will need to be a consistent force, especially as the team navigates its second season in the unforgiving SEC. On offense, the Longhorns return key pieces like running back CJ Baxter and wide receivers Ryan Wingo and DeAndre Moore Jr., but they must overcome the loss of four starters on the offensive line and key receivers to the NFL.

Their schedule is tough, with a significant road game against Georgia that could be crucial for their playoff seeding. Despite the challenges, Texas is widely considered a near-lock for the CFP, with some projections placing them as high as the No. 7 seed. A successful season for the Longhorns would likely mean a top-four seed and a first-round bye.

Texas A&M and TCU: Seeking a Path

While Texas is receiving the majority of the attention, other Texas-based teams are also vying for a playoff spot.

Texas A&M Aggies

The Texas A&M Aggies, in their second year under head coach Mike Elko, are aiming to take the next step and become a consistent contender in the SEC. The Aggies finished with an 8-5 record in 2024 but are looking to improve on that mark. Their playoff hopes hinge on the development of quarterback Marcel Reed, who showed flashes of potential last season. To succeed, Reed will need to grow as a passer and lead the offense, which new playmakers from the transfer portal have bolstered.

The defense, which struggled at times last season, needs to step up and provide a more consistent performance. The Aggies’ schedule is a major hurdle, with tough road games against Notre Dame, LSU, and Texas. While they aren’t considered a playoff lock, the expanded format gives them a window of opportunity. If they can pull off some upsets and secure a strong record in the competitive SEC, they could find themselves in the playoff picture. Some projections have the Aggies facing Duke in the Mayo Bowl.

TCU Horned Frogs

The TCU Horned Frogs are another team with playoff aspirations in 2025. Head coach Sonny Dykes has stated that anything less than a Big 12 Championship appearance would be a disappointment for the program. The Horned Frogs’ success will largely depend on the performance of veteran quarterback Josh Hoover and their ability to overcome a difficult schedule. They open the season against a formidable North Carolina team and a recent CFP participant in SMU.

While the Horned Frogs return five of their top seven tacklers on defense, they will need to generate a better pass rush. Offensively, they must replace most of their receiving corps. Despite these challenges, the team ended last season on a positive note, going 6-1 in their final seven games.

This momentum, combined with an experienced defense and a high-scoring offense, gives TCU a real shot at competing for a Big 12 title and, by extension, a spot in the College Football Playoff. FanDuel’s Latest NCAAF Matchups shows that TCU remains a team to watch closely as the season unfolds.

All three teams face different sets of challenges and opportunities. For Texas, the pressure is on to live up to the No. 1 ranking and deliver a national title. For Texas A&M and TCU, it’s about proving they belong in the national conversation and capitalizing on the expanded playoff field. The 2025 season promises to be a thrilling one for college football in the Lone Star State, with multiple teams poised to make a run for a championship.

Final Words

The 2025 college football season is proving to be a thrilling and pivotal one for Texas’s top programs. While the Texas Longhorns lead the charge as a national title contender, the expanded 12-team playoff format has created a significant opportunity for their in-state rivals. Texas A&M and TCU are also in the hunt, with their own paths to the postseason defined by key matchups and the performance of their young talent. The road ahead is filled with challenges, but for fans in Texas, the potential for a historic season is well within reach.