'A Fake Thing': Analyst Shoots Down 'Texas Longhorns Are Back' Narrative

The Texas Longhorns earned the No. 3 seed in the College Football Playoff.

The one-time serious question-turned-dream that Texas fans continuously sold themselves on was whether or not their football program could be "back".

A return to the glory that was once a commonality in Austin thanks to the likes of Vince Young and Colt McCoy. Something that following the departure of McCoy seemed would forever evade Texas who went through three coaches before ending up at Steve Sarkisian. Even when the former Alabama offensive coordinator was in Austin for his first season, it was clear the program wasn't close to competing for titles, or at that point, competing for a conference title. 

The 2022 season saw some improvements, but again, not where the program expected to be. In 2023 however, things came together for the Longhorns. Recruits were finally being developed properly and performing, transfers were making impacts, and the Longhorns not only won the Big 12 title for the first time since 2009, but they also made the College Football Playoff.

Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian hoisting trophy after Big 12 title :: SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK

However, according to On3's JD PicKell, winning the Big 12 and even winning the national title if they can achieve that this season, doesn't mean their back. In fact, PicKell revealed there really is no such thing as Texas being back.

"Texas being back was always a fake thing," said PicKell. Because even if they win a national championship this season, you'll have people that say this "Well what about when they get to the SEC? Well, what about sustaining that? Can they do that for an extended period of time?"

He continued explaining that their being back just isn't something people will ever agree on.

"Texas being back is never something where we're going to arrive at," said PicKell. "And that's [not] me to talk down on Texas. That's me just telling you don't worry about the whole we're back conversation okay? Cause back is one thing and something that I think nobody will never 110% nail down. You'll never get an entire room of people 100% agreed upon Texas being back, but I will say this. Texas, I think has arrived."

A word that PicKell used because none of the current roster was a part of the most down of down years for the Longhorns. Instead, he believes we are witnessing "new Texas".

A thought process that many fans likely haven't considered, but one that has been in the tea leaves all season long as Sarkisian and quarterback Quinn Ewers have consistently made sure to avoid those types of questions. Regardless of whether Texas is "back" or "arrived", one thing is for certain, and that is if they end up winning the title this season, the trajectory of the program could reach heights we haven't seen in the modern era of college football.