Texas football cracks top five in PFF’s summer top 25 for 2023

In less than two months, Texas football will kick off fall camp, which will satiate the thirst for information from this rabid fan base ahead of a really important final season in the Big 12. Texas and head coach Steve Sarkisian have high expectations heading into the 2023 season.

Pro Football Focus boosted the Longhorns’ hype heading into the fall with their latest top 25 rankings ahead of the 2023 season. PFF’s latest college football power rankings for the 2023 season (based on ELO ratings) ranked the Longhorns among the five best teams in the country.

PFF tabbed Texas as the No. 5 team in the country in its summer power rankings for the 2023 college football season. Here is a look at how the top five rounded out in PFF’s latest college football power rankings.

1. Georgia
2. Alabama
3. Ohio State
4. Michigan
5. Texas

Texas football ranks among five best teams in 2023 according to PFF

This is the highest I’ve seen Texas ranked ahead of the 2023 season by any of the major media outlets and organizations. Texas is ranked higher than commonly considered College Football Playoff contenders this year such as the Clemson Tigers, LSU Tigers, Tennessee Volunteers, USC Trojans, etc.

It looks like PFF attributes the amount of returning depth and talent for the Longhorns, specifically at the wide receiver position, as the biggest reason for the slotting at No. 5 in these power rankings. PFF also claims the x-factor for the Longhorns’ success this fall will be redshirt sophomore quarterback Quinn Ewers.

"Outside of Ohio State, Texas has the best receiving corps in college football. Wide receiver Xavier Worthy and tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders are both top-four players at their respective positions and the Longhorns have excellent depth with Adonai Mitchell, Jordan Whittington and Isaiah Neyor all back. The question is, can Quinn Ewers deliver them the ball consistently?"

PFF ranks Texas as the class of the Big 12 in 2023

The Texas hype from PFF also holds up in the latest Big 12 power rankings update for the 2023 season. PFF ranks Texas as the top team in the Big 12 heading into the fall, ahead of the Oklahoma Sooners and TCU Horned Frogs to round out the top three.

Tabbing Texas as the top team in the Big 12 heading into the 2023 season isn’t as bold as ranking the Longhorns as a top-five team overall in college football. Many other media outlets (ESPN, USA Today, Athlon Sports, etc.) ranked Texas as the best team in the Big 12 this preseason.

Texas finished up the 2022 season with a record of 8-5 (6-3 Big 12). Sark and the Longhorns open up the 2023 regular season at home on Sep. 2 against the Rice Owls. The first big test of the season comes for the Longhorns on Sep. 9 on the road in Tuscaloosa in primetime against the Alabama Crimson Tide.