So, you’re checking the TV guide or scrolling through sports apps wondering do the Longhorns play football today, only to see a whole lot of nothing where the burnt orange should be. It’s Sunday, January 18, 2026. If you’re a Texas fan, the silence is probably a bit deafening.
They aren't playing. Not today. Not tomorrow.
The short answer is that the 2025–2026 season for Texas football has officially crossed the finish line. While the college football world is currently buzzing about the National Championship game happening tomorrow night in Miami, the Longhorns are already back in Austin, likely hitting the weight room or catching up on classes. It's a weird time of year where the "offseason" officially starts for some while others are playing for the biggest trophy in the sport.
The 2025 season wrap-up
Texas actually had a pretty solid run this past year. They finished the season with a 10–3 record, which, honestly, is nothing to sneeze at in a conference as brutal as the SEC. Steve Sarkisian’s squad found themselves in a three-way tie for fifth in the conference standings.
Think about that for a second. In the SEC, 10 wins only gets you fifth place.
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Their season ended on a high note, though. On December 31, 2025, the Longhorns headed down to Orlando for the Citrus Bowl. They matched up against Michigan and basically took care of business, winning 41–27. It was a statement game—a "we still belong in the elite conversation" kind of performance—but because they didn't make the 12-team College Football Playoff bracket, their schedule ended on New Year's Eve.
Why aren't they in the National Championship?
If you're asking do the Longhorns play football today because you're looking for the National Championship info, you'll find different names on the marquee. Tomorrow, January 19, the #1 Indiana Hoosiers (yes, you read that right—Indiana) face off against the #10 Miami Hurricanes.
Texas spent much of the year ranked in the Top 15, but a few key losses kept them out of the playoff hunt.
- They dropped the season opener to Ohio State (7–14).
- They lost a tough one in Gainesville to Florida (21–29).
- Georgia handled them later in the year (10–35).
Despite those hiccups, they won the games they were "supposed" to win and capped it off with a massive 27–17 win over Texas A&M in the Lone Star Showdown. But once the Citrus Bowl clock hit zero, the 2025 chapter was closed.
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What’s next for Texas football?
Since there’s no game today, the focus has shifted entirely to the 2026 season. If you're a die-hard fan, you’re probably already looking at the calendar for September. The Longhorns open up their 2026 campaign on September 5 against Texas State.
The 2026 schedule is actually a monster. They have Ohio State coming to Austin on September 12. That’s a massive revenge game after losing to the Buckeyes this past August. Then they’ve got the usual gauntlet: Oklahoma in Dallas on October 10, and a road trip to LSU on November 14 that will probably be one of the loudest environments in the country.
Key dates to keep on your radar:
- National Championship: Monday, Jan 19, 2026 (Miami vs. Indiana).
- Spring Game: Usually mid-April (official date TBD).
- 2026 Opener: Sept 5 vs. Texas State.
Actionable steps for the Longhorns faithful
Since you can't watch them play today, here is how you can actually stay plugged in during this "dark" period of the calendar.
First, keep an eye on the transfer portal. In modern college football, the roster you see in December is rarely the one you see in August. Sarkisian has been aggressive in the portal before, and with some key departures to the NFL draft, they’ll be looking for immediate starters at wide receiver and in the secondary.
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Second, check out the early enrollees. National Signing Day has passed, and several of the top recruits are likely already on campus in Austin. Following the beat reporters for "practice reports" (even though they are mostly just drills right now) will give you a head start on who might be the next breakout star at DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium.
Finally, if you need a football fix today, you’re stuck with the NFL. There are plenty of former Longhorns playing in the professional playoffs right now. Watching the "Pro Horns" is basically the official Sunday pastime for Austin residents until the spring game rolls around.
The wait for September is long, but after a 10-win season and a bowl trophy, the momentum is definitely there. You just have to be patient.