Texas gets an early chance to prove it belongs. A showdown with the No. 2 Buckeyes in the season opener on Aug. 30 in Columbus looms large as a potential defining moment in the Longhorns' pursuit of their first national title in two decades.

Despite consecutive 10-plus win seasons, the Missouri Tigers found themselves outside the US LBM preseason College Football Coaches Poll released on Monday.

Texas holds the top spot in the USA Today preseason coaches football poll. Defending national champion Ohio State is No. 2 followed by No. 3 Penn State, No. 4 Georgia and No. 5 Notre Dame.