Four programs from the Lone Star State were ranked inside the Top 25 of the preseason AP Poll that was released on Monday morning. The Texas Longhorns topped the list with a No. 1 ranking. Steve Sarkisian’s program was also the top ranked team in the preseason Coaches Poll that was released last week. The Horns start the season on the road against defending champion Ohio State, which is third in the AP Poll. 

SMU (16th), Texas A&M (19th), and Texas Tech (23rd) were also ranked inside the Top 25 of the AP Poll. The Mustangs are in their second season as a Power Four program. They reached the ACC championship game and the College Football Playoff in Year 1. Texas A&M returns most of its offense and should be improved defensively in Year 2 under Mike Elko. Texas Tech is the nation’s most intriguing team as the Red Raiders went all-in through the transfer portal and spent like Big 12 favorites throughout the offseason. 

The college football season begins on Aug. 23 in Texas when Sam Houston travels to Western Kentucky in Week Zero. The other 12 FBS teams in the state start in Week 1, headlined by Baylor vs. Auburn, Texas at Ohio State, and TCU at North Carolina.