What Is 2007 Texas Longhorns football team

Content on WhatAnswers is provided "as is" for informational purposes. While we strive for accuracy, we make no guarantees. Content is AI-assisted and should not be used as professional advice.

Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2007 Texas Longhorns football team represented the University of Texas at Austin during the 2007 NCAA Division I FBS football season, finishing with a 10–3 record under head coach Mack Brown. They won the Holiday Bowl 52–34 over Arizona State and ranked No. 14 in the final AP Poll.

Key Facts

Finished the season with a 10–3 record
Defeated Arizona State 52–34 in the Holiday Bowl
Ranked No. 14 in the final AP Poll
Started the season ranked No. 1 in the AP Poll
Lost to Oklahoma 41–38 in the Red River Rivalry

Overview

The 2007 Texas Longhorns football team represented the University of Texas at Austin in the 2007 NCAA Division I FBS season, competing in the Big 12 Conference's South Division. Led by head coach Mack Brown, the team began the year ranked No. 1 in the AP Poll, reflecting high expectations after a strong 2006 campaign.

The Longhorns finished the regular season with a 10–2 record, including a 6–2 mark in Big 12 play, narrowly missing a conference championship berth. Despite early hype, losses to ranked opponents derailed national title hopes, but a strong finish secured a top-15 finish and a major bowl victory.

Season Record: The team compiled a final record of 10–3, with all three losses coming against teams ranked in the top 15 at the time of the game.
Head Coach: Mack Brown, in his 10th season, led the program with a balanced offensive approach and a defense that improved significantly after midseason adjustments.
Key Loss: A 41–38 defeat to Oklahoma in the Red River Rivalry on October 20 derailed their national title path and shifted their postseason outlook.
Bowl Game: The Longhorns defeated the Arizona State Sun Devils 52–34 in the 2007 Holiday Bowl, showcasing a dominant offensive performance in San Diego.
Final Ranking: Texas ended the season ranked No. 14 in the final Associated Press (AP) Poll, reflecting their strong finish despite early-season setbacks.

Key Players and Performance

The 2007 squad featured several standout performers who contributed to both offensive and defensive success throughout the season. Quarterback Colt McCoy, a sophomore, solidified his role as a future star, while the defense improved under defensive coordinator Will Muschamp.

Colt McCoy: Started all 13 games, throwing for 3,247 yards and 27 touchdowns with only 10 interceptions, earning Big 12 Offensive Newcomer of the Year honors.
Ramonce Taylor: Rushed for 779 yards and 11 touchdowns, emerging as a reliable power back in the Longhorns' two-back system.
Sergio Kindle: A defensive standout with 6.5 sacks and 57 tackles, Kindle became a key pass-rusher on a developing defensive line.
Aaron Ross: Though he left for the NFL after 2006, his absence was felt early, but younger players like Curtis Brown stepped up in the secondary.
Offensive Line: Protected McCoy effectively, allowing only 16 sacks all season and helping the team average 39.2 points per game.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 2007 Longhorns compared to their 2005 national championship season and the 2008 squad:

Season	Record	Final AP Rank	Key Bowl Result	Head Coach
2005	13–0	No. 1	Won Rose Bowl 41–38 (vs. USC)	Mack Brown
2006	10–3	No. 8	Lost Alamo Bowl 26–24 (vs. Iowa)	Mack Brown
2007	10–3	No. 14	Won Holiday Bowl 52–34 (vs. Arizona State)	Mack Brown
2008	12–1	No. 2	Lost BCS National Championship 13–12 (vs. Florida)	Mack Brown
2009	13–1	No. 3	Won Fiesta Bowl 38–35 (vs. Ohio State)	Mack Brown

The 2007 season served as a bridge between rebuilding years and a return to elite status. While not as dominant as 2005 or 2009, the team developed young talent like McCoy and laid the foundation for the 12–1 season in 2008, which nearly won a national title.

Why It Matters

The 2007 season was pivotal in sustaining Texas football's national relevance during a transitional period. Though it lacked a conference title, it advanced player development and program momentum under Mack Brown’s leadership.

Colt McCoy’s Emergence: His breakout season signaled a new era of quarterback excellence at Texas, leading to three consecutive Big 12 titles from 2008–2010.
Recruiting Momentum: Success in 2007 helped secure top-tier recruits, including future stars like Jordan Hicks and Alex Okafor in later classes.
Bowl Prestige: Winning the Holiday Bowl against a ranked Arizona State team maintained Texas’ streak of 10+ win seasons and major bowl appearances.
Defensive Growth: Will Muschamp’s unit improved as the season progressed, setting the stage for a top-10 defense in 2008.
Program Stability: Despite missing the Big 12 title game, the team stayed competitive, avoiding the decline seen in other powerhouse programs.
Legacy Building: The 2007 season helped Texas remain in the national conversation, contributing to a four-year stretch of 10+ wins from 2007 to 2010.

In summary, the 2007 Texas Longhorns were not championship winners, but they were instrumental in maintaining the program’s elite status and developing future stars who would carry the team forward in the coming years.