AUSTIN — For the first time since the 2009 season, the Texas football program finished in the top 10 in the Associated Press Top 25 Poll.
One week after the Longhorns knocked off then fifth-ranked Georgia 28-21 in the Sugar Bowl, Texas finished ninth in the final AP Poll of this season with a 10-4 overall record. The high finish for 2018 gives the Longhorns national exposure for 2019 and in the discussion for next season’s College Football Playoffs.
Despite beating Georgia in New Orleans, the Bulldogs finished one spot ahead of Texas and tied for seventh with fellow SEC member, Florida.
University of Texas is only the fourth team in the AP’s 83-year-old history to finish in the top 10 with four losses.
The Longhorns' rivals from College Station, Texas A&M, finished 16th.
It’s the first time since 1998 that both the Longhorns and Aggies are ranked in the top 16 in the final AP Poll.
ESPN released its Way Too Early Top 10 report for next season.
ESPN ranked Texas eighth. The Longhorns open the 2019 season with back-to-back home games against Louisiana Tech and LSU.