The Texas Longhorns closed out their 2025 regular season with a statement win - and not just any win. They took down the No. 3-ranked Texas A&M Aggies in a 27-17 upset that brought the Lone Star Showdown back to the Forty Acres in unforgettable fashion. It was the kind of victory that resonates beyond the scoreboard - a rivalry win, a top-three upset, and a potential spark for something bigger.
At 9-3, Texas sits on the fringe of the College Football Playoff conversation. They're the only three-loss team still hanging around the edges of the postseason picture, and while the odds might be long, they’re not dead.
The next College Football Playoff rankings drop Tuesday night, and that’ll give us a clearer picture of where the Longhorns stand. Whether it’s a surprise playoff berth or a high-profile bowl game, Texas is playing meaningful football deep into December - and that’s a place this program has been fighting to return to.
But while the focus remains on finishing 2025 strong, there’s already plenty of intrigue building for what lies ahead in 2026. The SEC coaching carousel has spun fast and furious, and with all vacancies now filled, Texas is set to face four programs next season that will be led by new head coaches. Let’s break down those matchups and what they could mean for the Longhorns.
LSU: Kiffin Takes Over in Death Valley
The biggest headline-grabber of this year’s coaching cycle? Lane Kiffin’s move from Ole Miss to LSU.
After a drawn-out, drama-laced process, Kiffin was officially introduced as the Tigers’ new head coach on Monday. It’s a bold move for both sides - LSU gets one of college football’s most polarizing and offensively gifted minds, while Kiffin steps into one of the most high-pressure jobs in the sport.
Texas will head to Baton Rouge next season to face Kiffin and LSU in what’s sure to be a raucous SEC showdown in Death Valley. It’ll be the Longhorns’ first trip there since the two programs last met in 2019 - a game that was part of LSU’s legendary title run.
There’s also a fun bit of history here: the last time Kiffin coached against Texas was in the 2006 Rose Bowl, when he was USC’s offensive coordinator. On the opposite sideline that day?
Steve Sarkisian, now Texas’ head coach, who was serving as USC’s quarterbacks coach. Nearly two decades later, the two will square off again - this time as SEC head coaches.
Ole Miss: Pete Golding Gets the Call
With Kiffin out, Ole Miss wasted no time naming his successor. Defensive coordinator Pete Golding was promoted to head coach on Sunday.
While Golding has never been a head coach before, he’s no stranger to big-time football. He was Alabama’s defensive coordinator from 2018 to 2022, coaching in two national title games and winning one in the 2020-21 season - the same staff Sarkisian was a part of as offensive coordinator.
Golding took over Ole Miss’ defense in 2023 and brought a physical, aggressive identity to the unit. Now, he steps into the top job at a program that’s very much in the national conversation, currently ranked No. 7 and still in the playoff hunt.
Next year, Golding will bring the Rebels to Austin for a conference clash at Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium.
It’ll be the first meeting between the two since 2013, when Ole Miss came into Austin and left with a 44-23 win. A lot has changed since then - including the stakes.
Florida: Jon Sumrall Heads to Gainesville
Florida landed its next head coach in Jon Sumrall, pulling him away from Tulane after two highly successful seasons. Sumrall went 19-7 with back-to-back appearances in the AAC Championship Game, and now he steps into one of the most demanding jobs in the SEC.
Texas will host the Gators again in 2026, continuing what’s quickly becoming an annual battle. The two teams have split their matchups since Texas joined the SEC - the Longhorns won the first meeting, while Florida took the most recent one. With a new coach at the helm, Florida will look to reestablish itself as an SEC powerhouse, but Sumrall will be tested early and often.
Arkansas: Silverfield Brings Stability to Fayetteville
The Razorbacks went with experience, hiring former Memphis head coach Ryan Silverfield. Over six seasons, Silverfield built a consistent winner at Memphis, going 50-25 and reaching a bowl game every year - winning four of them. He brings a steady hand to an Arkansas program looking to get back on solid footing.
Texas and Arkansas have rekindled their old Southwest Conference rivalry since both became SEC foes, and the Longhorns have had the upper hand so far, winning both matchups. Next year, Arkansas will come to Austin with a new leader and a fresh identity, but Texas will be looking to keep that winning streak alive.
The Longhorns’ 2025 campaign isn’t over yet, and the next few weeks could still hold some surprises. But as the program looks ahead to 2026, it’s clear that the SEC landscape is shifting.
New coaches, new challenges, and a tougher nine-game conference slate await. For Texas, the road forward is anything but easy - but with momentum, talent, and a few marquee matchups already circled, the future is as compelling as the present.