Texas football is just different. It’s loud, it’s expensive, and honestly, it’s exhausting if you’re a fan trying to keep up with the emotional whiplash. If you’ve been looking for the latest texas longhorn football score, you probably know by now that the Horns just capped off their 2025 campaign with a statement win in Orlando.
On New Year's Eve, Texas walked into the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl and basically dismantled Michigan. The final was 41–27. It wasn't just a win; it was a "we belong in the SEC" kind of win. Arch Manning looked like the real deal, throwing for over 200 yards and, surprisingly, rushing for another 155. Yeah, you read that right. The kid has wheels.
But the final score of a bowl game never tells the whole story of a season that felt like a 13-round heavyweight fight.
The 2025 Rollercoaster by the Numbers
Texas finished the season 10–3. On paper, that’s a "great" year for almost any program in the country. In Austin? It’s complicated. Fans are still buzzing about the home finale against Texas A&M.
That game was personal. After years of waiting for the Lone Star Showdown to return as a conference matchup, the Horns took care of business with a 27–17 victory. It was gritty. It was ugly at times. But it was a win over the Aggies, and in this part of the world, that’s worth its weight in burnt orange gold.
The season didn't start with that kind of sunshine, though. Opening up in Columbus against Ohio State was a brutal reality check. A 14–7 loss in August felt like a gut punch, mostly because the defense played out of its mind while the offense looked stuck in first gear.
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A Look Back at the Schedule
If you missed some of the mid-season action, here is how the primary games shook out. No fancy charts here, just the raw results that defined the year:
The early stretch was mostly dominant. They crushed San Jose State 38–7 and Sam Houston 55–0. Then came the SEC gauntlet. A weird 29–21 loss to Florida in the Swamp threatened to derail everything, but the team bounced back in the Red River Rivalry.
Beating Oklahoma 23–6 in Dallas is always the season's peak for many. It’s the game where the texas longhorn football score matters more than the national championship to some folks. They followed that up with two heart-attack-inducing overtime wins against Kentucky (16–13) and Mississippi State (45–38).
Then, the Georgia game happened.
Losing 35–10 to the Bulldogs in Athens was a reminder that while Texas is "back" in the conversation, Georgia is still the mountain everyone has to climb. Steve Sarkisian’s squad looked outmatched in the trenches that night. It was the lowest point of the year, but arguably the catalyst for the three-game win streak that ended the season.
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Arch Manning and the New Era
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room. Arch Manning.
For the longest time, the conversation was about when he’d finally take the keys to the car. This season, he did. He finished the year with 3,163 passing yards and 26 touchdowns. But it’s his efficiency that’s actually impressive—only 7 interceptions across 13 games.
He isn't just a pocket passer. Against Michigan in the bowl game, he was the leading rusher. Think about that. A Manning leading a major program in rushing yards in a postseason game. It’s sort of surreal to witness.
Ryan Wingo also emerged as a legitimate superstar. He hauled in 834 receiving yards this year. The connection between him and Manning is going to be the focal point of every defensive coordinator's nightmare in 2026.
Why the SEC Move Changed Everything
The scores this year look different because the competition is different. In the old Big 12, a 10-win season usually meant you were playing for a conference title. In the SEC, 10–3 put Texas 6th in the conference standings.
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The depth is just deeper. There are no "off" weeks. Even Vanderbilt, who Texas beat 34–31, ended up being a top-15 caliber team for much of the season.
One thing that has become crystal clear is that the Longhorns' home-field advantage is back. They went 6–0 at DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium. If you’re a visiting team coming to Austin, you’re probably leaving with a loss and a headache from the crowd noise.
What’s Happening Right Now (January 2026)
The season is over, but the work hasn't stopped. As of mid-January, Sarkisian is already rebuilding the trenches.
They just landed Melvin Siani, a massive offensive line transfer who should help protect Manning next year. They also managed to keep five-star defensive lineman Justus Terry out of the transfer portal, which is a massive win. Georgia was reportedly circling like a shark trying to get him back to his home state, but he’s staying in Austin.
There's a lot of hype around the incoming 2026 recruiting class, too. Texas currently holds one of the top spots in the national rankings.
Moving Forward: Actionable Steps for Fans
If you're trying to stay ahead of the curve for the 2026 season, here is what you should be doing:
- Track the Transfer Portal: The window just closed, but the "re-signing" phase is in full swing. Watch for news on offensive guard depth. That was the weak link in the Georgia and Ohio State losses.
- Mark the Calendar: The 2026 schedule is going to be even more brutal. Look for early season tickets now because the prices for the big SEC home games are only going to go up.
- Watch the Spring Game: Usually held in April, this will be your first look at how the new transfers like Siani mesh with the established starters.
- Follow the NIL News: Like it or not, NIL is why guys like Justus Terry are staying. Keeping an eye on the "Texas One Fund" updates gives you a good idea of the program's financial health and recruiting leverage.
The 2025 season provided some incredible texas longhorn football score highlights, from the blowout in the bowl game to the intense rivalry win over A&M. Texas isn't just participating in the SEC; they're actively reshaping it. The transition is over. Now, the goal is a trophy.