What Is 2018 Texas Longhorns football team

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2018 Texas Longhorns football team represented the University of Texas at Austin in the 2018 NCAA Division I FBS football season, finishing with a <strong>8-5 record</strong> under head coach Tom Herman and winning the <strong>2019 Sugar Bowl</strong> against Georgia.

Key Facts

Finished the season with an 8-5 overall record
Won the 2019 Sugar Bowl by defeating Georgia 28-21
Played in the Big 12 Conference, finishing 6-3 in conference play
Ranked 11th in the final AP Poll
Quarterback Sam Ehlinger threw for 2,844 yards and 25 touchdowns

Overview

The 2018 Texas Longhorns football team competed as part of the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS), representing the University of Texas at Austin during the 2018 season. Led by second-year head coach Tom Herman, the team played its home games at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Texas.

The Longhorns finished the regular season with a 6-3 conference record in the Big 12 and earned a spot in the Texas Bowl, but instead qualified for the 2019 College Football Playoff semifinal game, the Sugar Bowl, due to postseason selection criteria. Their victory in that game marked a significant milestone in the program’s resurgence under Herman.

Record: The team finished with an overall record of 8-5, including a 6-3 mark in Big 12 Conference play, showing marked improvement from the previous season.
Sugar Bowl Appearance: Earned a bid to the 2019 Sugar Bowl on January 1, 2019, where they defeated the Georgia Bulldogs 28-21 in a nationally televised showdown.
Head Coach:Tom Herman was in his second season as head coach and led the team to its first New Year’s Six bowl victory since 2006.
Quarterback Performance:Sam Ehlinger started all 13 games, throwing for 2,844 yards and 25 touchdowns while also rushing for 593 yards and 10 scores.
Final Ranking: The Longhorns finished ranked 11th in the final Associated Press (AP) Poll, their highest year-end ranking since 2009.

Season Highlights

The 2018 campaign featured several pivotal moments that defined the team’s identity and trajectory. From dramatic wins to key losses that shaped their postseason path, the season reflected both resilience and growth.

Opening Win vs. UTSA: The Longhorns opened the season with a 45-13 victory over UTSA, setting a strong tone with 500+ total yards of offense.
Rivalry Triumph: Defeated the Oklahoma Sooners 48-45 in the Red River Showdown, marking their first win in Dallas since 2009.
Loss to Oklahoma State: A 38-36 loss in double overtime to Oklahoma State ended their College Football Playoff hopes despite a strong performance by Ehlinger.
Big 12 Championship Game: Despite a strong season, Texas did not win the Big 12 title, losing to Oklahoma 39-27 in the conference championship game.
Defensive Growth: The defense improved significantly, allowing only 20.8 points per game in the final nine contests after early-season struggles.
Recruiting Impact: The team’s success helped secure a top-10 recruiting class in 2019, boosting momentum for future seasons.

Comparison at a Glance

How the 2018 Longhorns compare to recent seasons:

Season	Overall Record	Conference Record	Bowl Game	Final AP Rank
2018	8-5	6-3	Sugar Bowl (W 28-21 vs. Georgia)	11
2017	7-6	5-4	Texas Bowl (W 38-37 vs. Missouri)	NR
2016	5-7	3-6	No bowl (ineligible)	NR
2015	5-7	4-5	No bowl (ineligible)	NR
2014	6-7	5-4	Alamo Bowl (L 31-28 vs. Oregon)	NR

The 2018 season represented a clear upward trend for the Longhorns program, especially compared to the losing records and bowl ineligibility of 2015 and 2016. The team’s Sugar Bowl win and top-15 finish signaled a return to national relevance after nearly a decade of inconsistency.

Why It Matters

The 2018 season was a turning point for Texas football, reestablishing the program as a contender on the national stage and revitalizing fan interest and recruiting success.

Program Momentum: The Sugar Bowl victory gave the Longhorns their first win over a top-five team since 2009, boosting morale and confidence across the program.
Coaching Validation: Tom Herman’s leadership was validated, with his record reaching 14-9 after two seasons and earning praise for player development.
Quarterback Development: Sam Ehlinger emerged as a leader, combining durability and dual-threat ability, paving the way for future success.
Recruiting Boost: The team’s performance helped secure commitments from top prospects, including five-star recruits in the 2019 class.
Stadium Attendance: Average home attendance increased to over 98,000, reflecting renewed fan enthusiasm and ticket sales growth.
Media Exposure: National broadcasts on ABC and ESPN increased Texas’ visibility, enhancing brand value and conference influence.

The 2018 season laid the foundation for Texas to re-enter the national conversation in college football, marking the beginning of a sustained rebuilding effort that continues to shape the program today.