Paul Finebaum Reveals CFB Powerhouse That Is ‘Different Than They Used To Be’

Last year marked the resurgence of a once-prominent college football program. The Texas Longhorns secured their first Big 12 conference championship since 2009 and made their debut in the College Football Playoff.

Texas is now heading to the SEC, which is arguably the toughest conference in the sport. According to ESPN's Paul Finebaum , last season showed that this program is different from what the previous decade had shown. The talent and depth of the team are major reasons why Finebaum believes that Texas can contend right away.

"I think what they showed in the final year in the Big 12 is they're a different program than they used to be," Finebaum said. "They have elevated it, and talking to Sarkisian two weeks ago; he is incredibly confident not just about the top shelf but to depth."

According to ESPN's Football Power Index (FPI), the Longhorns are expected to be among the top three teams this season. The index is a measure of team strength that predicts a team's future performance for the remainder of the season. It ranks Texas No. 3 in the country behind the Georgia Bulldogs and Oregon Ducks.

The FPI predicts Texas will have a 10-2 record this season. The FPI also gives the Longhorns a 24.2% chance to win the SEC in their first year in the conference, a 67.8% chance to return to the College Football Playoff, and an 11.4% chance to win the championship.

If the positive trend continues, Texas could move closer to being "back" among the nation's top teams year after year.

Related: Paul Finebaum Names Biggest Differences Between Oklahoma And Texas