Texas may not be all the way back, but not all is lost in the Longhorns' 2025 football season.
After leaving plenty to be desired through its first five games of the season, Texas may have put the nation on notice with a 23-6 win over No. 6 Oklahoma in the Red River Rivalry. With the win, the Longhorns move to 4-2 on the season and 1-1 in conference play, shifting the focus to a larger conversation on what they can achieve this season.
Where this Texas team currently stands is a far cry from being ranked No. 1 to open the season, but it has positioned itself to slowly — but surely — re-enter the national conversation, one week at a time.
Here's a snapshot of where Texas' season stands through six games, and the road ahead.
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Texas College Football Playoff, postseason chances
Entering Saturday, Texas had a 21.4 percent chance to make the College Football Playoff, per ESPN's College Football Power Index (FPI).
While the Longhorns' chances paled in comparison to some of the top teams in the country, a win over a top-10 opponent drastically changes the outlook for the remainder of this season.
The first College Football Playoff ranking of the 2025 season is still weeks away, but Texas will move back into the top 25 of the Associated Press poll. And though the groups represent different entities, moving up in the eyes of those voters could be viewed as a positive in the committee's eyes.
When it comes to Texas, the fix to its current predicament is simple: Win.
There are no off weeks in the SEC, and the Longhorns have opportunities to climb back into the playoff picture each week. With just one loss in conference play, Texas can still make a run to advance to the SEC championship game in December.
Of course, winning the SEC title would automatically punch Texas' ticket to the playoff. Running the table to come up short in the title game could end up being enough.
The road ahead for the Longhorns includes dates with some of the conference's elite, with dates against Georgia and Texas A&M being circled on the calendars of many. Fortunately for Texas, it has a few weeks to build momentum before those games. Unfortunately, it plays the remainder of its games in October on the road.
In college football, true road games are difficult, and this Texas team will be tested each week. The goal of playing for the game's ultimate prizes is still attainable, but the road to get there will not be easy.
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Texas upcoming schedule
Texas will need to build confidence week over week, as tough tests await.
After defeating Oklahoma at a neutral site, the Longhorns are on the road for trips to face Kentucky and Mississippi State to close the month of October. November is chock-full of tests, highlighted by games against Vanderbilt, Georgia, and Texas A&M.
Texas will likely be favored in its next three games and head to Athens at 7-2,
| Date | Opponent | Time (ET) |
| Oct. 18 | at Kentucky | TBD |
| Oct. 25 | at Mississippi State | TBD |
| Nov. 1 | vs. No. 20 Vanderbilt | 12 p.m. |
| Nov. 15 | at No. 10 Georgia | TBD |
| Nov. 22 | vs. Arkansas | TBD |
| Nov. 28 | vs. No. 5 Texas A&M | 7:30 p.m. |
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