Texas football is a religion, and honestly, the 2025-2026 season felt like a fever dream for anyone following the local programs. Between Arch Manning finally taking the keys in Austin and Texas Tech shocking everyone by actually winning the Big 12, the landscape has shifted. If you’ve been hunting for texas colleges football scores to make sense of the chaos, you’re not alone. The power balance in the state isn't just tilted; it’s been completely knocked over.
We saw a massive resurgence from the "old guard" and some heartbreaking collapses from teams that were supposed to be locks for the playoffs. Let’s get into the weeds of what actually happened on the turf this year.
The Lone Star Showdown: Texas 27, Texas A&M 17
The game everyone circled on their calendar for a decade finally happened in Austin on November 28, 2025. It wasn't just a game; it was a physical internal war for state supremacy. Texas A&M came in ranked No. 3 in the nation, undefeated and looking like a juggernaut. Texas, ranked No. 16, was the underdog at home.
The first half was a total defensive slog. A&M led 10-3 at the break, and it felt like the Aggies' defensive front was simply too much for the Longhorns to handle. Then, the third quarter happened. Arch Manning looked like a different human being. He orchestrated a 17-point surge that left the Aggies reeling.
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The dagger? A 35-yard touchdown run by Manning in the fourth quarter on a crucial third down. He basically willed that win into existence.
Texas A&M's Marcel Reed had a rough go of it late, throwing two interceptions in the final frame. One of those was a backbreaker inside the Texas 5-yard line. By the time the clock hit zero, the Longhorns walked away with a 27-17 victory, ruining A&M's perfect season and knocking them out of the SEC title race. It was a loud reminder that the rivalry is back, and it's as petty and intense as ever.
Texas Tech’s Historic Run to the Big 12 Title
If you told a Red Raider fan back in August they’d be holding a Big 12 trophy in December, they might have asked what you were drinking. But Joey McGuire did it. Texas Tech finished the regular season 11-1, with their only blemish being a tight 26-22 loss to Arizona State in October.
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The Red Raiders weren't just winning; they were obliterating people. They put up 67 on Arkansas-Pine Bluff and 62 on Kent State. But the real statement was the 34-10 road win against Utah. That’s when the rest of the country started paying attention.
In the Big 12 Championship game on December 6, Tech faced off against BYU at AT&T Stadium. It wasn't even close. A 34-7 blowout secured their first conference title since 1994. Honestly, the atmosphere in Arlington was basically a Lubbock satellite campus that night.
Recent Score Highlights for Major Texas Programs
To keep track of the most recent postseason outcomes and key matchups, here is the breakdown of how the big names finished their campaigns:
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- Texas Longhorns: Finished 10-3 after a dominant 41-27 win over Michigan in the Citrus Bowl on New Year’s Eve. Arch Manning threw for 232 yards and two scores, looking every bit like the superstar he was hyped to be.
- Texas Tech Red Raiders: A record-setting 12-win season ended on a bit of a sour note. They got shut out 23-0 by Oregon in the Orange Bowl (a CFP Quarterfinal) on New Year's Day. Still, a 12-2 record is the best in school history.
- TCU Horned Frogs: Talk about a comeback. After a middling season, they finished 9-4. Their season highlight was a gutsy 30-27 overtime win against USC in the Alamo Bowl on December 30. Ken Seals was the hero there.
- SMU Mustangs: The transition to the ACC went better than most expected. They finished 9-4, capping it off with a 24-19 win over Arizona in the Holiday Bowl on January 2, 2026.
- Baylor Bears: It was a rough year in Waco. A 5-7 finish means no bowl game and a lot of questions for Dave Aranda. Their 31-24 loss to Houston in the season finale was a tough pill to swallow.
Why These Scores Matter for the 2026 Season
Looking at texas colleges football scores isn't just about nostalgia; it’s about the recruiting trail. Texas winning the rivalry game gives them a massive "scoreboard" advantage when talking to high school seniors in Houston and Dallas. Meanwhile, Texas Tech is now a legitimate destination for players who want to win championships, not just "compete."
TCU proved they still have that late-season magic, which helps keep the Fort Worth momentum alive. But for Baylor and Houston (who finished 10-3 and won the Texas Bowl 38-35 against LSU), the trajectories are opposite. Houston is ascending under the Big 12 spotlight, while Baylor is searching for an identity.
One thing is for sure: the 2026 season is going to be a bloodbath. With Manning returning for what could be his final collegiate year and the Big 12 wide open for the Red Raiders to defend their crown, the scores we see next November might be even more unpredictable.
If you're looking to stay ahead of the curve, keep an eye on the transfer portal this spring. Many of the teams that struggled with consistency—like Baylor or even A&M in the clutch—are expected to be heavy hitters in the NIL market to fix those late-game scoring gaps.
Actionable Insights for Texas Football Fans:
- Watch the Portal: Expect Baylor to be aggressive in hunting for defensive line depth after giving up 55 points to Utah and 41 to Arizona late in the season.
- Check the 2026 Schedule: The Texas vs. Texas A&M rematch is set for November 27, 2026, in College Station. Tickets are already projected to be the most expensive in the history of Kyle Field.
- Follow the QB Battles: With Arch Manning cemented at Texas, the real drama will be in College Station and Lubbock to see if the incumbents can hold off highly-rated incoming freshmen.
- Post-Bowl Analysis: Review the full season stats on sites like Winsipedia or CFBStats to see how yards-per-play metrics for Texas Tech suggest their 12-win season wasn't a fluke—it was a systemic shift.