IN PICS: Quinn Ewers and team enjoy Texas Longhorns’ latest new tradition following entry in the SEC

The Texas Longhorns kicked off the holiday season on Tuesday with the second edition of the “Longhorn Lights” event. At the center of this year’s festivities stood quarterback Quinn Ewers, joined by teammates Hayden Conner and Jakob Majors.

The No. 3 team dazzled the city and fans with a breathtaking celebration. UT President Jay Hartzell took to Instagram to give a sneak peek into the festivities.

He posed with the Texas Longhorns’s young and rising stars, boasting their burnt orange hoodies. The heart of the celebration was the breathtaking display along “The Drag,” where 24 Heritage Oak trees shimmered with synchronized twinkling lights that matched their emblem of a Longhorn.

The vibrant illuminations were paired with perfectly timed music by the Longhorn Band and other talented groups, amplifying the festive energy and drawing in crowds from across the city.

This year’s “Longhorn Lights” was more than a visual treat. It symbolized the strength of the Longhorn identity, weaving together the spirit of football, campus traditions, and the season’s joy.

Running nightly through January 1, the event invites students, alums, and the greater Austin community to come together and bask in the magic of the holidays.

Texas Longhorns running favorites to win CFP

The Longhorns, led by Quinn Ewers, are riding high as ESPN’s favorites to win the College Football Playoff (CFP), and their top status was doubled down by the latest update to ESPN’s Football Power Index (FPI).

Sentiments dipped as the Texans fought hard for their 20-10 Arkansas victory on Saturday. Critics continue to question Texas Longhorns's legitimacy as a top contender, but the FPI presents a compelling case for the Longhorns.

Texas Longhorns have a 93.2 percent chance of making the CFP, a 32.3 percent shot at reaching the national championship, and a 19.8 percent likelihood of claiming the title. Ohio State follows closely but still trails Texas in the projected odds of winning.

Beyond pure percentages, Texas also ranks highly in critical metrics like resume strength and game control. The FPI lists the Longhorns with the fifth-best overall resume nationally, ahead of several CFP hopefuls, including top-ranked Oregon Ducks and No. 10 Georgia Bulldogs.