You're probably staring at your phone or TV right now wondering exactly what time does Texas Longhorns play today football so you don't miss a single snap. If it’s Thursday, January 15, 2026, here is the honest truth: The Longhorns do not have a football game today.
Football season for the Burnt Orange is currently in that weird, quiet "in-between" phase. The 2025 season wrapped up a few weeks ago with the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl on New Year's Eve, where Texas handled Michigan 41-27. Since they aren't in the National Championship game—which features Indiana and Miami this year—the pads are tucked away in the locker room for now.
When Can You Actually Watch Texas Play?
Even though there's no kickoff tonight, the 2026 schedule is already set in stone. It’s actually a monster of a schedule. If you're looking to plan your Saturdays for the fall, you'll want to circle September 5, 2026. That is when the Longhorns return to DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium to face Texas State.
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The kickoff times for the 2026 season haven't been released yet because networks like ESPN and ABC usually wait until about two weeks before each game to announce the specific window. However, we do know the gauntlet they are about to run.
The 2026 Texas Football Schedule
- Sept 5: vs. Texas State (Austin)
- Sept 12: vs. Ohio State (Austin) - Keep an eye on this for a primetime slot.
- Sept 19: vs. UTSA (Austin)
- Sept 26: at Tennessee (Knoxville)
- Oct 10: vs. Oklahoma (Dallas - Red River Rivalry)
- Oct 17: vs. Florida (Austin)
- Oct 24: vs. Ole Miss (Austin)
- Oct 31: vs. Mississippi State (Austin)
- Nov 7: at Missouri (Columbia)
- Nov 14: at LSU (Baton Rouge)
- Nov 21: vs. Arkansas (Austin)
- Nov 27: at Texas A&M (College Station - Lone Star Showdown)
Why Everyone is Asking About Texas Longhorns Play Today Football
It's actually kind of funny. If you saw "Texas" on a sports crawl today, you're probably seeing the Texas Women’s Basketball team. They are currently ranked #4 in the nation and have a massive Top-5 showdown against #2 South Carolina tonight, January 15, at 7:00 PM ET on ESPN2.
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In a town like Austin, sports never really stop. But for the football fans, the "today" part of your search is mostly about recruiting news and the transfer portal. With Arch Manning officially taking the reins as a seasoned leader and the SEC schedule looking even tougher next year, the hype is already building for that September opener.
Real Talk on Kickoff Times
If you are searching for a specific time, remember the "12-day/6-day" rule. The SEC and their TV partners (Disney/ESPN/ABC) usually announce game times 12 days before the Saturday in question. Sometimes, for a huge game like Texas vs. Ohio State, they’ll announce it months in advance as a "Big Noon Kickoff" or a "Saturday Night Football" special, but that hasn't happened yet for the 2026 slate.
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What to Do While You Wait for Kickoff
Since there is no game today, you've got a few options to get your Longhorn fix:
- Check out the Women's Hoops game: 7:00 PM tonight on ESPN2. It’s going to be a battle.
- Review the Transfer Portal: This is basically the "offseason game" where rosters are built or broken.
- Plan your 2026 road trips: That November stretch is brutal—at Missouri, at LSU, then at A&M. If you’re planning to travel, you’ll need to book those Baton Rouge hotels way in advance.
The question of what time does Texas Longhorns play today football will have a much more exciting answer come September. For now, it's a waiting game. Stay tuned for the official TV designations which usually start dropping in late May or early June.
Actionable Next Steps: - If you're a season ticket holder, check your portal for 2026 renewal dates.
- Mark your calendar for the Spring Game (usually in April) to get a first look at the 2026 roster.
- Set a Google Alert for "Texas Football TV Schedule" to catch the 12-day window announcements once the season starts.