CBS Sports just dropped its way-too-early College Football Playoffs prediction for 2026, and it's safe to say that they have pretty high expectations for the Texas football team this year.
Though Longhorn Nation has lofty expectations for the program every season, it's nice to see the media regain confidence in Steve Sarkisian and Co. following a pretty disappointing season in 2025.
CBS's 12-team 2026 CFP projection
1. Miami
2. Notre Dame
3. Texas
4. Indiana
5. Texas Tech
6. Georgia
7. Oregon
8. Ohio State
9. LSU
10. Texas A&M
11. Memphis
12. Michigan
Way-Too-Early College Football Playoff projection for the 2026 season, via @BCrawford247 👀
— CBS Sports College Football 🏈 (@CBSSportsCFB) February 3, 2026
What would you change?
🔗 https://t.co/QnshRG871e pic.twitter.com/Dlc3J28sIW
As a Texas fan, seeing this is incredibly stress-relieving, as it was relatively unknown what the national media thinks of the team right now. After completely missing the playoffs in 2025 after being ranked the preseason No.1 team, anything could've happened this offseason when it comes to predictions.
I don't think Longhorns fans would've been surprised if CBS had the team ranked at No.7 or No.8 here.
The fact that so much intrigue still surrounds the program is a breath of fresh air, and it's no secret that Texas' transfer portal haul is helping the team's perception and prospects as well.
Steve Sarkisian and the rest of the coaching staff did an excellent job of identifying what went wrong in 2025 from a personnel standpoint and effectively addressing it in the 2026 transfer portal. They brought in multiple transfers who were ranked within the top 5 at their respective positions. Guys like WR Cam Coleman, RB Hollywood Smothers, RB Raleek Brown, OT Melvin Siani, LB Rasheem Biles, DT Ian Geffrard, and CB Bo Mascoe will be immediate, above-average contributors from day one.
It'll be interesting to see what other media outlets think of Texas as we get closer to spring.