Longhorns Daily News: Doubt around Texas football’s CFP hopes begins creeping in after OU loss

AUSTIN, TEXAS - SEPTEMBER 05: A Texas Longhorns logo and a College Football Playoff logo is seen before the game against the Texas State Bobcats at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on September 05, 2026 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) | Getty Images The question many have begun asking themselves about Texas football following several lackluster performances by returning starting quarterback Arch Manning and, most recently, the team’s walk-off loss after Oklahoma kicked a last-second field goal to win the Red River Rivalry in Dallas over the weekend, effectively ending the Sooners’ two-season skid to the Longhorns.Among those outside of Texas fandom circles raising such questions are folks like Maxx Crosby, a starting defensive end for the Las Vegas Raiders that’s received All-Pro NFL honors twice. On a recent episode of Crosby’s podcast, he was asked to elaborate on his thoughts around Texas football’s chances of reaching the College Football Player national championship game later this season. Crosby didn’t come off as very hopeful. “I think they’re really talented,” Crosby said, referring to Texas football. “I don’t think they’re natty-type good.”But as for Texas players like Colin Simmons, Crosby said, “He’s a dog.”Clearly, three points can make a world of a difference in the span of just a few days. WHAT THEY’RE SAYING ABOUT THE LONGHORNS Austin American-Statesman: Could freshman RB Derrek Cooper wake up Texas’ stagnant rushing game?247Sports: First things first Wednesday: Big-game hunting with Cam Coleman; UT’s third-quarter blues; and Vernell Brown247Sports: Finding fixes: Ranking the top five things wrong with the 2026 Texas football offenseInside Texas: Three reasons to feel fine about Texas football coming off crushing loss to OUICYMI IN BURNT ORANGE NATION No. 7 Texas vs. Florida opponent preview: Gators look to end two-game skidOn Arch Manning’s maddening inconsistencyForcing turnovers is the missing piece for the elite Texas defenseSteve Sarkisian defends special teams coordinator Jeff BanksHow Texas offensive transfers are performingRECRUITING ROUNDUP 247Sports: Fresh intel on every 2028 recruit from Florida in the updated Top247 rankings247Sports: Texas OL commit Jackson Cook explains why Longhorns were an easy choiceSEC SHOWDOWN Austin American-Statesman: Golden: The Oklahoma disaster makes Texas-Florida an elimination game for Horns247Sports: Ex-Clemson commit RJ Hudson outlines characteristics he is eager to see during Texas visit as decision loomsInside Texas: Texas’s recruiting Saturday: who’s inside DKR as the Longhorns host FloridaRock M Nation: Ole Miss Rebels previewWHAT WE’RE READING SB Nation: Alaric Jackson suspended 2 games for punching Bradley Chubb, per reportSB Nation: Bears’ Montez Sweat suspended 2 games for PED violationSB Nation: Hulu’s ‘The Land’ about the Cleveland Browns looks unintentionally hilariousNEWS ACROSS LONGHORN NATION AND BEYOND Best of times, worst of times, ya know? First career TD when it counts 😤 pic.twitter.com/CGYeQbt5Hw— Texas Football (@TexasFootball) October 10, 2026