Texas football named among teams that can end SEC’s title reign

We can feel the excitement in the air with the start of fall practice upon us on Aug. 3 for head coach Steve Sarkisian and the Texas football program. Texas got underway with some meetings and prep ahead of the start of fall camp on Aug. 2. That process on Aug. 2 included media availability with Sark and some of the other Texas coaches and/or coordinators.

With the anticipation surrounding the start of fall camp comes preseason projections and the setting of expectations for what lies ahead for the upcoming season. And that is certainly the case concerning Sark and the Longhorns this year.

A recent list from Will Backus of 247Sports on Aug. 2 certainly shows some of the expectations for the Longhorns heading into the 2022 season. This list from Backus of 247Sports names 10 teams around college football that could “end the SEC’s National Championship reign”. And the Longhorns were one of the 10 teams included in the mix.

Including Texas on this list of teams that could end the SEC’s reign is certainly an interesting take on the upcoming season. While it sounds great for Sark and the Longhorns to end the SEC’s reign of winning titles this fall, that’s clearly not where the fans should be pegging realistic expectations.

Texas football and Steve Sarkisian pegged as someone that could unseat the SEC in 2022

Here’s more on what this 247Sports piece had to say about the placement of Texas on this list among the 10 teams that could end the SEC’s title reign in 2022.

"Is this the year Texas can finally get the monkey off its back and live up to preseason expectations? The Longhorns have yet to be really “back,” but coach Steve Sarkisian has the needle moving in the right direction. Texas pulled in a robust transfer portal haul, headlined by ex-Ohio State quarterback Quinn Ewers. He will be surrounded by plenty of fun weapons, including Wyoming transfer Isaiah Neyor and Alabama transfer Agiye Hall, as well as Heisman Trophy-contending running back Bijan Robinson."

I guess from a talent perspective, though, Texas would be one of the non-SEC schools that could theoretically challenge for a title. It’s usually Texas and the Oklahoma Sooners as the only two Big 12 programs that even have the talent level required to win a title, historically speaking.

Oklahoma was one of the other non-SEC teams included on this list, though. In fact, Texas and Oklahoma were the only two Big 12 schools in this group which is quite ironic given that these schools will soon be leaving for the SEC.

Some of the other notable teams included on this list that could end the SEC’s title reign were the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, USC Trojans, Ohio State Buckeyes, Oregon Ducks, and Michigan Wolverines. There were also some under-the-radar teams to watch such as the NC State Wolfpack and Utah Utes.

Texas finished up last season with a record of 5-7 (3-6 Big 12), missing out on bowl season for the first time since 2016. Sark and the Longhorns are set to open up the 2022 regular season at home on Sep. 3 against Louisiana-Monroe.