Texas Longhorns Among Top Contenders for 2026-27 CFP Title

Oddsmakers see the Longhorns as one of the favorites to win the national championship next season.

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

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The Texas Longhorns football team is expected to be among the top contenders for the 2026-27 College Football Playoff (CFP) national championship. After finishing the 2025 season with a 10-3 record and a Citrus Bowl win over Michigan, the Longhorns have the second-best odds of any program to win the title next year, according to leading betting websites. This comes despite Texas failing to make the CFP in 2025, the first time in three years they missed the tournament.

Why it matters

Texas is one of the most prominent college football programs in the country, and their return to national title contention would be a major story in the sport. The Longhorns' strong odds reflect the high expectations for the team, which has added key offensive weapons and a new defensive coordinator in the offseason.

The details

Quarterback Arch Manning will return to lead the Longhorns' offense, which is also adding Auburn transfer Cam Coleman and other top recruits. The hiring of former Florida head coach Will Muschamp as defensive coordinator is also expected to boost Texas' chances. The Longhorns are the only non-CFP team from 2025 with such high title odds, and they are ranked ahead of defending champion Indiana, national runner-up Miami, and SEC champion Georgia.

  • Texas finished the 2025 season with a 10-3 record.
  • Texas lost to Ohio State in the 2025 CFP semifinal at the Cotton Bowl.
  • Texas announced its 2026 spring football schedule in February 2026.

The players

Arch Manning

The starting quarterback for the Texas Longhorns football team.

Cam Coleman

A wide receiver who transferred to Texas from Auburn University.

Will Muschamp

The new defensive coordinator for the Texas Longhorns football team, previously the head coach at the University of Florida.

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What’s next

The Longhorns will open their 2026 season against Texas State in the fall.

The takeaway

Texas' strong odds to win the 2026-27 national championship reflect the high expectations for the program, which has reloaded with key offensive talent and a new defensive coordinator. If the Longhorns can live up to the hype, they could be poised to return to the College Football Playoff for the first time since 2024.