One Louder said:
Someone ask Grok if Texas is back.
The phrase "Is Texas back?" likely refers to the sentiment around the University of Texas at Austin's football team, the Texas Longhorns, and their performance in college football, a topic that generates significant buzz among fans and sports analysts. This question often surfaces when discussing whether the team has returned to its historical prominence after periods of underperformance. Let's break it down based on available information and context.
Context and Analysis
The Texas Longhorns have a storied history, with national championships and a passionate fan base. The phrase "Texas is back" became a meme after a 2016 game when broadcaster Joe Tessitore declared it following a win over Notre Dame, only for the team to finish 5-7 that season. Since then, it's been used both earnestly and ironically to gauge the team's resurgence. Here's the current state as of August 30, 2025:
Recent Performance: The Longhorns have shown signs of a strong comeback in recent years. In 2023, they went 12-2, won the Big 12 Championship, and made the College Football Playoff (CFP), losing to Washington in the Sugar Bowl. In 2024, they finished 11-2, reached the CFP again, but fell to Ohio State in the quarterfinals. These seasons mark their best performance since the early 2000s under Mack Brown, when they won a national title in 2005.
2025 Season Outlook: The Longhorns are entering the 2025 season with high expectations. They're ranked No. 4 in the AP Top 25 preseason poll, behind Georgia, Ohio State, and Oregon. With quarterback Quinn Ewers returning for his senior year, alongside a talented roster including Arch Manning as a backup, the team is poised for a strong season. Their move to the SEC, a tougher conference, adds a new challenge, starting with a high-profile opener against Ohio State on September 6, 2025.
Fan and Media Sentiment: Posts on X reflect a mix of optimism and skepticism. Some fans and analysts believe Texas is "back" due to their recent success, elite recruiting, and coaching under Steve Sarkisian, who has a 25-10 record over the past two seasons. Others argue that "Texas is back" won't be fully realized until they win a national championship or at least dominate in the SEC. The sentiment is summed up in posts like one from @RedditCFB, which humorously notes Texas's consistent "we're back" claims, and @AaronCarrara, who highlights their strong recruiting and potential for a title run.
Challenges Ahead: The Ohio State game is a critical early test. A win could solidify Texas's status as a contender, while a loss might reignite doubts. The SEC schedule, including games against Texas A&M and potentially Georgia or Alabama, will further define their trajectory. Off-field factors, like the pressure of high expectations and the historical weight of the program, also play a role.
Broader Interpretation
If the question extends beyond football to Texas as a stateeconomically, culturally, or politicallyit's worth noting that Texas remains a powerhouse. Its economy is booming, with a GDP rivaling entire countries, and cities like Austin and Houston continue to grow rapidly. Politically, Texas is a focal point in national debates, as seen in recent redistricting controversies and policy changes. However, the question's phrasing suggests a sports context, so the focus here is on the Longhorns.
Conclusion
Is Texas back? In college football, the Longhorns are closer than they've been in years, with back-to-back strong seasons, a top-tier ranking, and a competitive roster. However, "back" implies reclaiming elite status, which likely requires a deep SEC run or a national title. The 2025 season, starting with Ohio State, will be pivotal. For now, Texas is trending upward, but the jury's still out on whether they're fully "back."
If you meant something else by "Texas is back"like the state's economy, cultural influence, or another contextplease clarify, and I'll tailor the response!
Now assume they lose to Ohio State. Are they back?
If the Texas Longhorns lose to Ohio State in their season opener on September 6, 2025, the question of whether "Texas is back" becomes more nuanced, but the answer leans toward "not yet." Here's why, based on the context of the Longhorns' recent performance and the expectations surrounding their resurgence:
Impact of the Loss: A loss to Ohio State, a top-ranked team, wouldn't be catastrophic given the strength of the opponent and the fact that it's early in the season. However, it would dampen the "Texas is back" narrative, as this game is seen as a litmus test for their ability to compete at the elite level, especially in their new SEC environment. Fans and analysts, as seen in X posts like those from @RedditCFB, often point to high-stakes games as proof of Texas's return to prominence. A defeat would fuel skepticism, with critics likely arguing that Texas still can't win the biggest games.
Recent Context: Texas has had strong seasons recently12-2 in 2023 and 11-2 in 2024, with College Football Playoff appearances both years. This suggests they're on the cusp of being "back." However, their 2024 playoff loss to Ohio State (31-17 in the quarterfinals) already raised questions about their ability to close out top-tier opponents. Another loss to the same team would reinforce doubts about their consistency against elite competition, a key marker of being truly "back."
Remaining Season: The Longhorns' SEC schedule, including games against Texas A&M and potentially Georgia or Alabama, offers chances to recover. A strong conference performance could still validate their resurgence, but a loss to Ohio State would mean they'd need to dominate these games to quiet doubters. The margin for error in the SEC is slim, and early momentum is critical.
Fan and Media Sentiment: X posts reflect a fan base that's cautiously optimistic but quick to mock the "Texas is back" mantra when setbacks occur. A loss would likely amplify sarcastic takes, like those referencing the 2016 Notre Dame game, where premature declarations of Texas's return fell flat. Posts from users like @AaronCarrara highlight Texas's recruiting and potential, but a high-profile loss would shift focus to their inability to clear major hurdles.
What "Back" Means: For Texas, being "back" likely means reclaiming the dominance of their 2000s peaknational title contention, consistent top-5 finishes, and winning big games. A loss to Ohio State wouldn't end their season, but it would suggest they're not yet at that level, especially if they struggle to rebound in the SEC.
Conclusion
If Texas loses to Ohio State, they're not fully "back." They'd remain a strong program with recent success and potential, but the narrative of returning to elite status would take a hit. Their ability to bounce back in the SEC and make a deep playoff run would be crucial to proving they're more than a near-miss contender. If you have specific scenarios or follow-up details (e.g., margin of loss, key injuries), I can refine the analysis further!
