Why Rece Davis Still Isn't Selling on Texas as College Football's Top Team

The Big Win, The Bigger Question

When the Texas Longhorns pulled off that miraculous 24-23 win against top-ranked Ohio State last Saturday, it felt like a defining moment in college football. The comeback, from 23-3 down in the first half, was thrilling and gut-wrenching in equal measure. It gave Texas a signature victory that's hard to ignore—and many are now placing them at or near the top of the national rankings.

But not everyone is ready to give Texas the nod just yet. One of college football's most trusted voices, Rece Davis, host of College GameDay, made it clear in a recent appearance on The Pat McAfee Show that he's still holding off on officially naming Texas as the No. 1 team in the country.

"I still have Notre Dame ranked at No. 1," Davis said. "I put Texas No. 2 because I wanted to honor the victory. But if you watched the entire game — and I realize it's a far greater opponent than Notre Dame has faced so far — but kind of watching the whole game, it was really hard to get to the place where I think this is the best team in the country."

What Made the Game So Hard to Buy Into?

The first half of that game told a story that wasn't quite convincing. Texas looked disoriented and outplayed, especially early on. Ohio State's Jeremiah Smith dominated with a 151-yard, two-touchdown performance, while the Longhorns' offense struggled to stay competitive.

Then came the pivotal moments. An interception that appeared to be caught by wide receiver Cam Coleman ended up bouncing free—only to be snatched up by an Ohio State defender. The turnover changed everything, but it also left Davis wondering whether Texas had the consistency to hold their own against top-tier competition.

"That first half, though, left Davis scratching his head," we noted in our original article. And even with a thrilling second half, the question remains: Was this an outlier, or is this how Texas plays now?

A Win That's More About Momentum Than Mastery

Davis pointed out that Texas' win certainly has the best moment of any team so far. But in his book, that doesn't automatically make them the nation's best. "They've got other great opportunities," he said. "Tennessee is coming up, and I think they're really good. I don't have them on top right now just because the entire game, they didn't always look like No. 1."

What separates a win from dominance? Texas did manage to pull off a comeback—but was it enough to prove they're the most complete team in the country?

Can the Longhorns Sustain This?

The next few weeks will be critical for Texas. Their upcoming game against Tennessee could serve as their litmus test. If they can hold strong, and maybe even add another signature win to their résumé, Davis might finally move them into the No. 1 spot.

But until then, he remains cautious. It's a reminder that in college football, it's not just about the final score—it's about consistency, execution, and how you perform under pressure. Texas showed flashes of brilliance, but they haven't yet proven they can sustain it across multiple games.

The Big Picture: Ranking vs. Reality

There's a broader discussion here about how college football rankings are made—and who gets to decide them. Davis's position isn't just about one game; it's about the process of evaluating teams based on evidence, not just hype. Texas's performance against Ohio State was undeniably impressive, but Davis wants to see more.

For fans and analysts alike, this is a great moment to step back and ask: Are we being too quick to label teams as champions? Is it enough to win one game in the right way—or do you need to show up consistently?

With Texas heading into their next challenge, Davis's skepticism might just be a necessary reminder that the real test of greatness comes not from one moment, but from many.