The Texas Longhorns debuted at No. 7 in the first College Football Playoff rankings of the 2026 season, released Tuesday night. The selection committee placed two other Texas programs in the top 25, with Texas Tech checking in at No. 15 and the University of Houston at No. 17.
Houston's ranking marks a strong start for the Cougars, who are led by quarterback Conner Weigman. The former Texas A&M transfer has guided Houston to a competitive record through the first half of the season, earning the program its first appearance in the CFP rankings since the playoff expanded to 12 teams.
Texas Tech's position at No. 15 reflects the Red Raiders' consistent performance in Big 12 play. The Longhorns' No. 7 ranking positions them firmly in the playoff picture, with a clear path to a first-round bye if they win out in conference play.
The initial rankings set the stage for a critical November across the Texas college football landscape, as all three ranked programs face pivotal conference matchups that will shape their postseason destinies.
