In ESPN's recent top-100 players in college football rankings, the Texas Longhorns had two players rank inside the top-15.

As the Texas Longhorns look to advance to their first national championship in over a decade, after two straight seasons of falling just one game short, they will have to do so despite losing six starters from their defense that finished top-five in scoring defense from last season.

For the second straight season, Texas fielded one of the best teams in college football. On Tuesday, Texas ranked third in the final US LBM Coaches Poll for the 2024 football season. The 53 coaches who vote in the coaches poll listed Texas behind just national champion Ohio State and national runner-up Notre Dame.

Even after watching the Ohio State Buckeyes capture their first national championship in over a decade with the 34-23 win over Notre Dame. They are not who CBS Sports senior writer, Dennis Dodd has ranked as the No. 1 team in his "way-too-early" top-25.

Texas outshined Missouri 61-53 with strong defense. Playing in a tough SEC, their tournament prospects could improve. Mike DeCourcy breaks down their showing.