Texas Football Date with Destiny

“For me it’s pretty simple. I didn’t come here just to be a head coach again. I didn’t come here to ‘say’ I’m the head coach at the University of Texas. I came here to win a championship and then if I can get one I want to get two. I am borderline obsessed with it at this point.” ~ Steve Sarkisian 

It’s Game Time! Texas Longhorns Football embarks on a 16 game journey. The journey could cement in history one of the most epic returns to prominence that College football has seen in a long time.

To make this season even more incredible, college football’s humble prince Arch Manning takes the field as QB1. Manning has been waiting, preparing, and dreaming for this moment all his life.

To make the game more exciting, Arch’s Hall of Fame grandfather, Archie Manning, made a statement. He declared that Arch would not be leaving Texas early for the NFL. This made Sarkisian’s words somewhat prophetic.

Sarkisian words “…if I can get one I want to get two…” gives you a window into his plan.

Yet, we must not get ahead of the season. Texas has 16 opponents that are preparing to dismantle them like Texas is preparing to do the same.

First up defending National Champions Ohio State hosts Texas at Columbus, OH on August 30. This game will take place at the “Horseshoe.” Fans have named it the “Shoe” for short. The entire world will be watching. It will be interesting to see the audience viewership numbers from ESPN PR for the game. We are predicting 20+ million viewers.

The highest viewed college football game ever was in the 2006 Rose Bowl featuring Texas vs USC on Jan. 4 that garnered 34.6 million viewers. Everyone remembers Vince Young’s legendary game-winning touchdown run to secure the National Championship for Texas.

How about the highest viewed first game of the season ever? Again at the top was in 2016 Notre Dame vs Texas that averaged 10.9 million viewers.  

This is Sarkisian’s fifth season and he has assembled the No. 1 Defense with returning players Anthony Hill Jr., Michael Taaffe, Colin Simmons, Trey Moore, Liona Lefau, Malik Muhammand, and Jaylon Guilbeau.

Texas is ranked No. 1 in the preseason polling because of the depth in critical positions and the SEC is recognizing Texas players. Quintrevion Wisner is the only running back in the SEC returning with a 1,000 rushing last season. He was selected first-team 2025 Preseason Coaches’ All-SEC honor along with DJ Campbell, Anthony Hill Jr., Colin Simmons, and Michael Taaffe.  

The list continues with Malik Muhammad and punter Jack Bouwmeester being selected to the second team. They are part of the All-SEC second team. Trevor Goosby, Trey Moore, and WIll Stone are on the third team.

It would be safe to say the Longhorns are stacked.

Texas is ranked No. 1 in the AP and Coaches Poll for the first time in program history.  The AP Poll started in 1936 and Coaches Poll in 1950.

Sarkisian always plays down polls. Maybe there is a good reason for this. He does this to not get too inflated before the season even starts.  Still, there is one fact that can’t be overlooked.

The King of the Jungle is rarely mistaken. Everyone knows at first glance who the King is. Even Paul Finebaum says Texas is going to dominate Ohio State.

The question is: Does Texas know and believe they are the King of the Jungle? Will they act like it?  Matthew McConaughey had an intense scene in the movie The Gentlemen where he said with power these lines. “There’s only one rule is this [beep] jungle. When the lion is hungry, he eats.”

Is Texas hungry? Will they dominate and dismantle? Can they live up to what everyone else sees them, No. 1?

Fox will carry the game. August 30, 2025 at 11am CST.  Horns Illustrated will be in the press box. Our sports photographer, Don Bender, will be on the field capturing the great moments in the game.

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#HookEm