Texas Football Tries Their Hand at a New Postseason

The Texas Longhorns football program, one of the most storied and prestigious in the history of college football, has long been synonymous with success and high expectations. With multiple national championships, conference titles, and an impressive list of All-Americans and NFL players, the Longhorns have carved out a legacy that few can match. Yet, in recent years, despite their historic success, the program has faced its fair share of challenges, including an inability to return to national prominence after the Mack Brown era.

As the college football landscape continues to evolve, so too has the postseason format, with many programs, including Texas, searching for new ways to regain their competitive edge and recapture the glory of yesteryear. This has led to significant changes in the postseason structure, specifically in how teams approach bowl games and the College Football Playoff (CFP). For Texas, these changes have ushered in a new era of postseason ambition — one that is both exciting and uncertain.

In this 2,000-word exploration, we’ll dive into Texas Football’s approach to the new postseason format, examining the adjustments they’ve made in light of recent changes, the impact on their future success, and the broader implications for college football’s shifting postseason landscape.

The Changing Landscape of College Football Postseason Play

Before diving into Texas’ own strategies, it’s essential to understand the broader context of postseason play in college football. Historically, the postseason was relatively straightforward, with the major bowls (Rose, Sugar, Orange, Fiesta) serving as the pinnacle of college football. However, as the sport grew and evolved, so too did the format for determining the national champion.

In 2014, the College Football Playoff (CFP) replaced the BCS National Championship Game, introducing a four-team, bracket-style playoff system. The goal of the CFP was to give more teams a chance at the national title, while also preserving the significance of the traditional bowl games. Since its inception, the playoff has expanded in significance, with teams and programs around the country vying for one of the coveted spots in the postseason.

But the expansion of the playoff, which is set to grow to 12 teams in 2024, has drastically changed the postseason landscape. The focus is no longer just on winning a conference championship or earning a spot in one of the major bowls. Now, teams must contend with the ever-evolving criteria for playoff inclusion, including strength of schedule, head-to-head matchups, and overall team performance.

For programs like Texas, which have fallen just short of playoff contention in recent seasons, this expansion represents an opportunity for redemption — but it also brings new challenges and heightened expectations. The Longhorns find themselves at a crossroads, having to navigate both the evolving playoff system and the expectations of their passionate fanbase.

Texas’ Struggles in Recent Years

In order to understand why Texas is experimenting with a new postseason approach, it’s important to look at their struggles in recent years. The Longhorns haven’t won a Big 12 title since 2009, and while they’ve made occasional appearances in major bowl games, they’ve yet to regain the dominant status they held in the early 2000s under Mack Brown.

Since the firing of Mack Brown after the 2013 season, Texas has gone through a revolving door of head coaches, each trying to return the program to national prominence. Charlie Strong, Tom Herman, and now Steve Sarkisian have all tried — with varying degrees of success — to bring Texas back to its former glory. However, a lack of consistency, recruiting challenges, and the rapid evolution of the game have made it difficult for the Longhorns to compete at the highest level.

By 2023, Texas had not only failed to win the Big 12 in over a decade but also struggled to break into the playoff conversation. Despite impressive recruiting classes, the Longhorns struggled to find the right balance between offensive firepower and defensive consistency. These issues left them just outside the playoff bubble year after year, and the traditional postseason bowls did little to satiate the hunger for excellence.

Thus, with a shift in the overall postseason format — particularly with the upcoming expansion of the CFP — Texas Football found itself looking for a new strategy to make a splash in the postseason. They needed to rethink their approach, focusing not just on the national title race but on securing a future that allowed for sustained success.

The Approach to New Postseason Play

In response to the evolving college football landscape, Texas Football has adopted a more aggressive approach to its postseason efforts. This strategy involves several key components: scheduling tough non-conference games, prioritizing the strength of their regular-season matchups, leveraging the expanded playoff system, and emphasizing player development. The combination of these elements, along with their immense recruiting resources and Texas’ storied history, offers the Longhorns a unique opportunity to make a splash in the new postseason format.

Scheduling Tough Non-Conference Games

One of the most crucial aspects of the new postseason strategy for Texas has been the decision to schedule more challenging non-conference games. In the past, the Longhorns were often content with a relatively easy slate of non-conference matchups, which might pad their win totals but did little to prepare them for the rigors of conference play or impress the playoff selection committee.

Under Steve Sarkisian, however, Texas has made a concerted effort to schedule high-profile, nationally televised games against top-tier opponents. For instance, they agreed to face Alabama in 2022 and are set to play high-profile matchups against teams from the SEC and other power conferences in the coming years. These non-conference games not only give Texas a chance to prove themselves against elite competition but also bolster their strength of schedule — a critical factor for playoff inclusion.

The expanded 12-team playoff also benefits teams like Texas, who might lose one or two games in a competitive conference but still have the chance to make a run at the postseason. A strong non-conference showing can make the difference between being left out and securing a playoff spot.

Emphasizing Strength of Schedule

The importance of strength of schedule cannot be overstated in the new era of postseason play. With the expansion of the playoff field, teams that earn one of the coveted spots in the 12-team bracket will likely need a strong resume to justify their inclusion. For Texas, this means consistently playing tough competition and avoiding any slip-ups that could cost them a chance at the postseason.

This focus on strength of schedule is crucial for Texas, especially as they look to compete for a playoff spot in an increasingly competitive Big 12 conference. With teams like Oklahoma, Baylor, and Kansas State also vying for playoff spots, Texas cannot afford to schedule light teams or take a backseat in terms of competition. Each regular-season game has significant implications for their postseason fate, and this added pressure requires the team to stay sharp and focused throughout the season.

Leveraging the Expanded Playoff System

The expanded 12-team College Football Playoff system is the most significant change to postseason football in decades. Under the new format, the top six conference champions will automatically earn a spot in the playoff, with the remaining six spots filled by at-large teams based on their overall record and strength of schedule.

For Texas, this change is a game-changer. In the past, they might have needed to win their conference or finish with an undefeated record to have a shot at the playoff. But now, they have more flexibility, with the possibility of earning an at-large bid even if they don’t win the Big 12.

This gives Texas an opportunity to reassert itself on the national stage. With a higher number of teams making the postseason, the Longhorns can take advantage of a deeper pool of competitors and secure a spot in the playoff despite facing setbacks during the season. In fact, this could make the difference between a disappointing bowl appearance and a legitimate shot at a national championship.

Player Development and Recruitment

The final piece of the puzzle for Texas’ postseason success is their focus on player development and recruitment. Texas is consistently one of the top programs in the country in terms of recruiting talent, and this will remain a critical factor in their postseason aspirations. The team’s success hinges on the ability to develop top-tier talent and ensure that players are ready to perform at the highest level when it matters most.

Under Steve Sarkisian, the Longhorns have focused on building depth across all positions, especially on the offensive and defensive lines. The development of star players like quarterback Quinn Ewers, running back Bijan Robinson, and wide receiver Xavier Worthy is key to Texas’ postseason success. The ability to bring in elite talent and mold them into NFL-caliber players is crucial for competing in the expanded playoff system.

The Future of Texas Football in the Postseason

Looking ahead, Texas Football’s new postseason approach is likely to pay dividends in the coming years. With the program’s emphasis on tough competition, strong scheduling, and player development, the Longhorns are positioning themselves to make a deep run in the expanded 12-team playoff. The increased opportunities for postseason inclusion should allow Texas to make their mark on the national stage once again.

However, there are still significant hurdles to overcome. The competition in the Big 12 remains fierce, and teams like Oklahoma, Baylor, and Kansas State will continue to push Texas for playoff spots. Furthermore, Texas’ move to the SEC in 2024 will bring even more challenges, as they will have to contend with powerhouse programs like Alabama, Georgia, and LSU.

But with the right strategy, Texas has the potential to reassert itself as a perennial playoff contender. The new postseason format offers fresh hope for the Longhorns, who are looking to break through and return to the elite ranks of college football.

Texas Football’s experiment with a new postseason approach represents a critical step forward for a program in search of renewed glory. The expanded playoff format, coupled with a new emphasis on scheduling tough competition and developing talent, offers Texas an opportunity to return to national prominence. While there are challenges ahead, the future looks bright for the Longhorns as they take advantage of the evolving postseason structure and push toward a new era of success.

The Longhorns are no longer content with simply reaching bowl games or finishing in the middle of the pack. With a revamped approach to postseason play, Texas is aiming for much more: a return to the top of college football, where they belong.