The Texas Longhorns return a very talented team in 2019, and they should contend for the Big 12 title and the College Football Playoff.

Head coach Tom Herman jumped on ESPN’s Golic and Wingo radio program to preview the season, and Herman said that college football centers around the Longhorns.

“You’re right. I fell in love with big-time football as a graduate assistant here (at Texas) and I’m a Division III guy and had coached a year of Division III football and all of a sudden I’m a graduate assistant at the Mecca of college football,” Herman told the ESPN radio hosts. “So, it certainly was appealing back then and we’re proud to be back 20 years later as the head coach. But I think the state of Texas does well when all of its in-state schools do well, but when you’re the university of whatever state it is you carry a responsibility to make your state proud.”

Texas hasn’t exactly been relevant in the national picture since Colt McCoy left. So, is it really the “Mecca” of college football?

The Longhorns have an Oklahoma and Lincoln Riley problem right now. The Sooners have beaten the Horns seven of the last 10 games in the Red River Rivalry. It also may have a Jimbo Fisher and Texas A&M problem, too. Fisher is recruiting lights out and building the foundation for a championship contender.

With a veteran quarterback and three recruiting cycles under his belt, we’re going to learn everything about Texas this season in Year 3 under Herman.

You can watch Herman’s appearance on Golic and Wingo below: