Will the Texas Longhorns be the kings of the SEC this fall?

As the 2025 college football season looms closer, the eyes of the college football world are squarely focused on one of the most intriguing storylines: the Texas Longhorns’ transition into the Southeastern Conference (SEC). After years of competing in the Big 12, the Longhorns’ move to the SEC marks a seismic shift in the landscape of college football. With a storied program and a roster brimming with talent, Texas is poised to make an immediate impact in the nation’s premier conference. But the question remains: will the Longhorns be the kings of the SEC this fall?

To answer that question, we need to look at several key factors: Texas’ roster, their coaching staff under Steve Sarkisian, the strength of the SEC, and the long-standing dominance of programs like Alabama, Georgia, and LSU. Let’s dive deep into what makes Texas a serious contender in their inaugural SEC season and explore what obstacles they’ll face as they chase that coveted throne.

Before delving into whether Texas can rule the SEC in 2025, it’s essential to understand the groundwork that has been laid under head coach Steve Sarkisian. When Sarkisian took over the Longhorns program in 2021, the program was in a period of transition. Texas had been struggling to return to national prominence for years, and Sarkisian’s hire was seen as an attempt to usher in a new era of sustained success.

Sarkisian’s offensive pedigree was a major selling point when he was hired, and he has slowly but surely built a potent offense capable of competing with the best. In his first two seasons, Sarkisian showed flashes of brilliance, particularly with his offensive scheme. Quarterback play has been a major focus of his tenure, and with the development of players like Quinn Ewers and a growing talent pool at the skill positions, Texas’ offense has steadily grown into one of the most explosive units in the country.

The Longhorns’ ability to recruit elite talent has also significantly improved. While Texas has always been a high-profile program, they struggled to reel in the nation’s best recruits in the years leading up to Sarkisian’s arrival. However, under his guidance, Texas has recruited at an elite level, securing top-tier players across multiple positions—none more notable than their defensive acquisitions and offensive skill players. As the 2025 season approaches, Texas’ depth chart is stacked with blue-chip recruits who have the talent to play against, and defeat, some of the SEC’s best.

Texas enters its first SEC season with one of the most well-rounded rosters in the country. The Longhorns’ defensive line, featuring elite talent like five-star recruit James Johnson (who recently flipped from Georgia), will be a key strength. The defensive backfield, with a combination of veterans and rising stars, looks poised to challenge some of the SEC’s top offenses. Add to that an offense led by a dynamic quarterback in Quinn Ewers and explosive skill players like Xavier Worthy and Bijan Robinson, and the Longhorns have the makings of a complete, championship-caliber team.

But is that enough to rule the SEC?

The SEC has long been regarded as the toughest and most competitive conference in college football. With a host of national championship contenders spread across the conference, Texas’ entry into this elite league will present its fair share of challenges.

Alabama Crimson Tide
Perhaps the biggest obstacle standing between Texas and a crown in the SEC is Alabama. Under Nick Saban, Alabama has been the gold standard in college football for nearly two decades. With an impeccable recruiting pipeline, a relentless work ethic, and a winning culture, Alabama has remained a perennial powerhouse. In 2025, Alabama will still be a juggernaut. The program has no shortage of talent, especially on the defensive side of the ball, where players like Dallas Turner and Kool-Aid McKinstry lead a formidable unit. The Crimson Tide’s offensive line remains one of the best in the country, and quarterback play—long considered an area of concern in the post-Tua Tagovailoa era—looks set to stabilize with a strong recruiting class and the emergence of promising quarterbacks.

What makes Alabama particularly challenging is their ability to consistently reload rather than rebuild. While Texas has made strides under Sarkisian, Alabama’s culture of dominance cannot be understated. For the Longhorns to dethrone Alabama in their first SEC season would be a monumental achievement, but it’s a daunting task nonetheless.

Georgia Bulldogs
Then there’s Georgia, who is arguably the most dominant program in college football today. After back-to-back national championships in 2021 and 2022, Kirby Smart’s Bulldogs have established themselves as the team to beat. Their defense, in particular, has been suffocating, with players like Jalen Carter and Nolan Smith becoming household names. Georgia also boasts one of the nation’s most balanced offenses, with quarterback play under Carson Beck poised to continue its upward trajectory.

While Georgia’s defense may take a hit due to NFL departures, the program’s depth is such that they will remain formidable. The Bulldogs have the ability to reload at nearly every position, making them a threat in 2025, even as they face off with new teams like Texas. For the Longhorns, navigating Georgia’s defense—especially on the road in Athens—will be a tall order.

LSU Tigers
LSU under Brian Kelly is another team that Texas will need to contend with. After taking over in Baton Rouge, Kelly immediately re-established LSU as a national contender. With quarterback Jayden Daniels and a host of talented wide receivers, LSU’s offense is explosive. On defense, the Tigers are once again a strong, physically dominant unit capable of matching up with anyone in the SEC. Texas will face LSU both on the road and at home in the coming seasons, and these matchups are expected to be some of the most exciting in the SEC.

There’s no denying the talent Texas has, both in terms of coaching and roster. So the question becomes: can they unseat the SEC’s top teams and take the crown in their first season?

1. Elite Quarterback Play
At the center of every successful football team is elite quarterback play, and Texas is in a strong position here. Quinn Ewers, a former five-star prospect, has all the tools to be an SEC-level quarterback. His development under Sarkisian’s tutelage is crucial, and if he can make the leap in 2025, Texas will be extremely dangerous. The ability to consistently perform in clutch situations, particularly in big SEC matchups, will determine how far the Longhorns can go.

Ewers has shown flashes of brilliance during his time at Texas, and in his third season, he could very well turn into one of the top quarterbacks in the nation. Having Xavier Worthy, one of the best wide receivers in the country, as his top target will only help him thrive. If Ewers can elevate his play, Texas has the offensive firepower to compete with anyone.

2. Balanced Attack on Both Sides of the Ball
The Longhorns’ ability to build a well-rounded team is another factor that gives them a chance to dethrone the SEC elite. Texas’ offensive line has shown vast improvement under Sarkisian, providing the running game and quarterback with more time to operate. Players like Bijan Robinson, a standout running back, have the potential to be game-changers in the SEC, and if the offensive line continues its improvement, the ground game will be a reliable asset.

On the defensive side, Texas has stacked up talent, particularly along the defensive line and in the secondary. James Johnson’s addition to the front seven adds a new level of ferocity, and with playmakers across the defense, Texas has the potential to be one of the most well-rounded teams in the SEC. Defense will be crucial for Texas if they plan on challenging Georgia and Alabama in the trenches.

3. Coaching Stability and Scheme Fit
One of the most critical factors in Texas’ success in the SEC will be Sarkisian’s ability to execute his vision in a conference that is notorious for its physicality and defensive dominance. Sarkisian has shown he can build an explosive offense, but the SEC requires more than just flash. He will need to prove that his schemes can stand up to the relentless pressure of SEC defenses. On the other side, Pete Kwiatkowski has built a solid defensive scheme that can adapt to SEC-level competition, and if the defense performs to expectations, the Longhorns will be competitive in every game.

4. Confidence and Momentum
Transitioning to the SEC is no small feat, but Texas enters this new chapter with significant momentum. After improving under Sarkisian and finishing 2024 with a strong record, the Longhorns have the confidence to take on SEC heavyweights. Playing in the Big 12 has prepared Texas for high-stakes games, but now they must step up to the physicality and pressure of the SEC. The Longhorns will need to be ready to battle for 60 minutes every week, but if they can stay composed and avoid falling into the same pitfalls that other teams have faced when entering the SEC, Texas has a shot to be elite.

Can the Texas Longhorns be the kings of the SEC in their first season? The road to the top is certainly filled with obstacles, but Texas has the tools to make a serious run. With elite quarterback play, a well-rounded roster, and a coaching staff capable of scheming with the best, the Longhorns will be a formidable force in the SEC.

However, dethroning the likes of Alabama,

Georgia, and LSU will require flawless execution, consistency, and a bit of luck. As the Longhorns enter this new era, they are a team to watch closely, but predicting that they’ll claim the SEC crown in 2025 might be a step too far—at least for now. The SEC is unforgiving, and while Texas has the potential, the challenge ahead is immense. Will they be kings of the SEC this fall? It’s unlikely—but they’ll certainly be contenders.