Texas earned just 12 total points in the initial AP poll, technically ranking No. 36. This marks the third straight season that the Longhorns are ranked outside the Top 25 to start the season. That’s been rare for this program and hasn’t happened since 1988-90.
Charlie Strong can rectify that ranking, however, with strong play out of the gate in 2016. The Longhorns have a tough early season schedule with three games against ranked opponents in the first five games, starting with their season-opener against No. 10 Notre Dame on September 4. Then they open October with back-to-back ranked opponents against No.