The Longhorns open 2025 on top of the mountain, ranked No. 1 in the first AP poll. So, the hype is off the charts. And why not? Last season, they reached the CFB Playoff before falling in the semifinals. Now, the road back begins in Columbus on August 30 against OSU, the same team that handed them a 28-14 loss in last year’s Cotton Bowl. Given that this time, it’s payback season. But ahead of this, a swirling claim began to make the rounds about Texas.
Well, on Wednesday, Texas found itself in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. An article in The Athletic boldly suggested the Longhorns could be “college football’s new Alabama.” But Fox’s Colin Cowherd wasn’t having it. In fact, known for his sharp analogies, he fired back, pushing hard against the comparison.
On The Herd, Colin Cowherd didn’t hold back. “I saw an article this morning,” he said. “It’s like, “This is being intimated… Is Texas college football’s new Alabama?’” But Cowherd didn’t hesitate, letting out a quick, “Oh, boy.” And he pointed to history, claiming, “Georgia was the new Alabama for about four years — until the NIL took off. Where SEC – tough, physical, defensive head coach, multiple natties – Georgia was the new Alabama.” Then came the jab. “Texas, my entire life, has been USC in cowboy hats. Good looking. Lot of style. Lot of vibe. Lot of energy. Coach always makes a lot of money. Cool stadium. Cool city.” So, the punchline. “Where are all the natties?” However, Colin Cowherd wasn’t done yet.
“Texas has always been USC in cowboys hats.”@colincowherd thinks calling Texas the “New Alabama” is nonsense pic.twitter.com/YNfPLSAyta
— Herd w/Colin Cowherd (@TheHerd) August 13, 2025
“I love Texas football,” admitted Cowherd. “And I didn’t even go there.” Although he couldn’t quite explain it, saying, “I don’t understand why I love Texas football. But it’s something you can love without living there. It’s cool. They pass the eye test. They have most of my life.” Then came the turn. “But they’re not Alabama. They’re not gritty.” And he reached for an analogy, stating, “Texas is the prom king. Coolest guy in school. Maybe the best-looking guy in school. He’s the prom king.” Here’s the contrast. “Alabama? They were the best wrestler in your high school. Didn’t always look good in clothes, but nobody wanted to mess with him. Didn’t have the coolest car. Was never really the coolest — the quarterback was,” said Cowherd. And finally, the sting. “Nobody’s afraid of the prom king. That’s the problem.” But the reason?
Here’s the thing: looking at 2025, Texas still has a few big question marks in the trenches. Steve Sarkisian has rebuilt the O-line since he arrived, but NFL exits, and now a couple of key injuries, have raised concerns about who’s protecting Arch Manning. And on defense, the transfer portal stocked the line with talent, especially on the edge, where the pass rush could be dangerous. But inside? The defensive tackle room is full of new faces. In Austin, they’ll tell you the development is coming. Now, it’s about proving it on Saturdays. And with that, Cowherd delivered his final take.
Alabama intimidated you. Georgia intimidated you, per Cowherd. But USC and Texas? They spark envy. They’ve got money and flash. “Sark can coach. Sark is big money. Sark can recruit,” said Cowherd. “But do you trust Texas in a big spot against a hyper-physical SEC team, or an Ohio State, or a Notre Dame? I don’t.” Remember, last season, the Longhorns fell to Georgia twice and to Ohio State in the Playoff. And now, “If it’s drizzling, you won’t get their A-game… Texas has always been USC in cowboy hats,” according to Cowherd. But while Cowherd didn’t buy the “new Alabama” tag, Texas football faces a brutal stretch, six straight road games in 2025.
Texas HC’s take on the ‘unique’ schedule
Okay, from September 20 to November 1, the Longhorns will live out of a suitcase. In that span, they’ll host Sam Houston and, much later, Vanderbilt on the day after Halloween, with 6 straight road games in between. Following that, HC Steve Sarkisian called it “very unique,” and he’s not wrong. Because it’s a stretch built for toughness. Here’s Sarkisian’s reaction to the six-week gap between home games in Austin.
“I noticed that when it came out,” stated Sarkisian. “It just is what it is. It’s uniquely challenging. We’ve got some very tough road games.” And he wasted no time pointing to the opener, stating, “The first game, you go to The Shoe — against a great opponent, the defending national champs. Tough game.” Then comes the SEC debut.
“You open in Gainesville, at The Swamp. One of the most difficult places to play in the country. And it’s our SEC opener,” said Texas HC. Now, the question is: with a schedule this brutal, will Texas prove Colin Cowherd right — or make him eat his words?
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