Texas football’s remarkable postseason run has shattered expectations, with nine FBS programs across the Lone Star State securing bowl bids for the 2025-26 season — including two teams making the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff. The unprecedented showing highlights the state’s growing dominance in collegiate football.
Red Raiders Lead Playoff Charge with Historic Season
No program has made a more stunning statement than the No. 4 Texas Tech Red Raiders. Entering the Capital One Orange Bowl with a 12-1 record, Tech earned a first-round playoff bye behind a defense that’s been nothing short of spectacular — ranking first nationally in rushing yards allowed and turnovers gained. Meanwhile, Texas A&M’s playoff journey ended prematurely with a first-round exit despite high expectations.
At the heart of Tech’s defensive dominance? Linebacker Jacob Rodriguez, who swept the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year award, collected multiple national honors, and finished fifth in Heisman Trophy voting. His presence has transformed a Red Raider program typically known for offensive fireworks.
That’s not to say Tech’s offense has been dormant. The Red Raiders averaged a robust 32.3 points against ranked opponents, including putting up 34 points in their lone loss of the season — the Big 12 Championship game against BYU.
Their quarterfinal opponent, Oregon, comes in after a somewhat uneven first-round victory over James Madison. Despite winning by 17 points, Ducks head coach Dan Lanning described the win as “bittersweet” after his squad was outscored 28-17 in the second half.
UTSA and North Texas: Mid-Majors Making Noise
The Roadrunners of UTSA earned their way to the SERVPRO First Responder Bowl with a 6-6 record, setting up an intriguing matchup with 7-5 FIU. UTSA’s offense features quarterback Owen McCown — football royalty as the son of former NFL quarterback Josh McCown and nephew of Luke McCown — alongside a dynamic rushing attack that has accumulated over 1,850 yards between backs Robert Henry and Will Henderson III.
What began as the TicketCity Bowl in 2011, later known as the Heart of Dallas Bowl, has evolved into the First Responder Bowl with SERVPRO securing naming rights in 2018. The bowl’s history parallels UTSA’s own evolution into a consistent bowl contender.
Perhaps the most surprising storyline? North Texas and its explosive offensive attack. The Mean Green (11-2) head to the Isleta New Mexico Bowl under interim head coach Drew Svoboda after Eric Morris departed for Oklahoma State. Their high-octane offense features the rare trifecta of a 4,000+ yard passer, a running back with over 1,500 total yards, and a wide receiver who eclipsed 1,200 yards.
Can the Mean Green finally break through in the postseason? Their all-time bowl record sits at a disappointing 2-11, with their last bowl victory coming way back in 2012. The Isleta New Mexico Bowl, played at University Stadium in Albuquerque since 2006, could be the stage for a long-awaited breakthrough.
Houston and TCU: Big 12 Representatives in Spotlight Bowls
Houston enters the Kinder’s Texas Bowl with momentum, sporting a 9-3 record and No. 21 ranking as they prepare to face LSU (7-5) at NRG Stadium. It’s a significant milestone for second-year head coach Willie Fritz, marking the program’s first bowl appearance under his leadership.
The matchup tilts in Houston’s favor with news that LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier won’t play. Adding to LSU’s concerns: they haven’t scored more than 25 points against an FBS team all season. The 20th anniversary of the Texas Bowl could provide Houston with a satisfying “home” win in what’s technically a neutral site game.
TCU (8-4) heads to the Valero Alamo Bowl with history on its side. The Horned Frogs are 2-0 all-time in the Alamo Bowl and hold a 3-2 series lead over their opponent, USC (9-5). What makes TCU particularly dangerous at the Alamodome? Their flair for the dramatic comeback. They orchestrated a stunning triple-overtime win over No. 15 Oregon in 2016 after trailing 31-0, followed by another comeback from 21-3 down to beat No. 15 Stanford 39-38.
SEC-Bound Texas Faces Michigan in Citrus Bowl
The Longhorns (9-3) head to the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl to face Michigan (9-3) at Camping World Stadium in a clash of blue-blood programs. Both teams enter on different trajectories: Texas is riding high after defeating then-No. 3 Texas A&M to close the regular season, while Michigan is reeling from a loss to then-No. 1 Ohio State and the subsequent firing of head coach Sherrone Moore.
Texas will be without defensive stars Anthony Hill Jr. and Michael Taaffe, potentially impacting their game plan against the Wolverines. The Cheez-It Citrus Bowl, which began as the Tangerine Bowl in 1947, is the seventh-oldest collegiate bowl game in the country and traditionally features top teams from the Big Ten and SEC.
Texas State and SMU Round Out State’s Bowl Contingent
Texas State (6-6) squares off against Rice (5-7) in the Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl at Amon G. Carter Stadium. Rice’s inclusion comes with an asterisk — they became bowl-eligible only after Kansas State opted out of postseason play. Still, the Owls proved their mettle by defeating two bowl-eligible teams this season (Louisiana and UConn).
This marks Rice’s third bowl-eligible season in four years under head coach Scott Abell, who impressed with a 3-1 non-conference record in his debut campaign. The Armed Forces Bowl, operated by ESPN Events since 2006, will continue with Lockheed Martin as title sponsor through 2031 after a recent extension signed in 2024.
SMU (8-4) rounds out Texas’ impressive bowl lineup, facing Arizona (9-3) in the Trust & Will Holiday Bowl at Snapdragon Stadium. The Mustangs are making their fourth consecutive bowl appearance, featuring a diverse passing attack with six players accumulating over 250 receiving yards. Quarterback Kevin Jennings returns after leading SMU to the CFP last season, providing valuable experience.
Arizona enters on a six-game winning streak, seeking a coveted 10-win season. The teams haven’t met since October 1985, when Arizona claimed a 28-6 victory in their last encounter.
As the calendar turns to bowl season, Texas has firmly established itself as the epicenter of college football with its unprecedented nine-team representation across the postseason landscape. From playoff contenders to emerging programs, the Lone Star State’s football prowess will be on full display when the games kick off.
