Although Texas has only played one game, we’re technically three weeks into the college football season.
Now that the Big Ten decided to join the party this fall, the college football power rankings were shaken up quite a bit. Ohio State deservedly jumped straight to the No. 2 spot, while Texas held on within the top 10.
The Longhorns were typically projected to land within the teens of most preseason rankings. After dominating UTEP by a score of 59-3, they were bumped ahead of LSU, Texas A&M and Penn State.
ESPN released their updated college football power rankings ahead of Week 3. Texas claimed the No. 8 spot due to senior quarterback Sam Ehlinger’s ability to spread the ball around at ease against the Miners.
“Overreaction is always tempting after a first game, but senior quarterback Sam Ehlinger looked plenty comfortable spreading the ball around in Texas’ 59-3 pasting of UTEP last week, and he did so with guys who didn’t play starring roles a year ago. Ehlinger is experienced enough that he doesn’t need to depend on one or two guys, which should pay big dividends for the Longhorns this season in an offensive system designed to spread the wealth.”
Alabama, Ohio State, Clemson, Oklahoma, Notre Dame, Georgia and Florida were each ranked ahead of the Longhorns.
Texas opens conference play on Sept. 26 at Texas Tech. The Big 12 has underperformed as a whole outside of Texas and Oklahoma, therefore the margin of error is slim. If the Longhorns hope to receive a College Football Playoff birth, they won’t be able to lose more than one game.