The energy around Austin right now is different. If you’ve walked near San Jacinto Boulevard lately, you can practically feel the hum of expectation vibrating off the walls of Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. We aren't just talking about another year of football; we’re looking at a University of Texas Longhorns football schedule that looks more like a gauntlet than a calendar.
Honestly, the jump to the SEC was always going to be a "be careful what you wish for" scenario. After a 2025 season that saw the Horns grind out a 10-3 record and cap it off with a 41-27 win over Michigan in the Citrus Bowl, the bar is basically in the stratosphere. Fans aren't just hoping for a winning record anymore. They want the whole thing.
The 2026 slate is officially out
The SEC finally dropped the full conference details in December 2025, and it’s a beast. Most people focus on the big names, but the structure of this schedule is what’s going to make or break Steve Sarkisian’s squad. We’re talking about nine games within the borders of Texas. Seven of those are true home games in Austin. On paper, that sounds like a massive advantage, right?
Maybe. But then you look at the road trips.
Texas has to travel to Knoxville to face Tennessee on September 26. It’ll be the first time the Horns have ever stepped foot in Neyland Stadium. Think about that for a second. A program as old as Texas has never played a true road game against the Vols in their house. It’s going to be loud. It’s going to be orange. It’s going to be chaos.
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2026 Non-Conference: No more "cupcake" Septembers
The days of scheduling three easy wins to start the year are dead and buried. Texas is opening the 2026 campaign with a three-game homestand that is anything but a cakewalk.
- Sept. 5: Texas State
- Sept. 12: Ohio State
- Sept. 19: UTSA
The Ohio State game is the one everyone has circled. Remember 2025? Texas went up to Columbus and dropped a heartbreaking 14-7 defensive struggle. This time, the Buckeyes have to come to Austin. It’s a return game that could easily have College Football Playoff seeding implications before we even hit October.
Then you have UTSA. People sleep on the Roadrunners, but they’ve proven they can hang. Texas can’t afford a "hangover" game after the Ohio State emotional rollercoaster.
Navigating the SEC minefield
Once conference play kicks off, the schedule gets weird. And by weird, I mean difficult.
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After the Tennessee trip, there’s a bye week. That’s crucial. It gives the team time to heal up before the Allstate Red River Rivalry against Oklahoma on October 10. We know the drill: the State Fair, the split stadium, the Fletcher’s Corny Dogs. Texas leads the series 65-51-5, but in Dallas, records are basically suggestions.
Then comes a three-game home stretch that will test the depth of the roster:
- Florida (Oct. 17): The Gators are becoming a regular fixture on the schedule.
- Ole Miss (Oct. 24): This is the one I’m watching. Lane Kiffin’s offense coming to Austin for the first time since 2013? Expect fireworks.
- Mississippi State (Oct. 31): A Halloween matchup that shouldn't be a trap, but in the SEC, nothing is certain.
The November Gauntlet
If the Longhorns are still in the hunt by November, they’ll have to survive one of the toughest closing stretches in the country. They spend most of the month on the road.
First, it’s a trip to Columbia to play Missouri on November 7. Texas hasn't played there since 2011. Then, the big one: Death Valley. On November 14, Texas heads to Baton Rouge to play LSU. If you’ve never experienced a night game at Tiger Stadium, just know it’s basically a fever dream of noise and smelling like bourbon. It’s the first time Texas has played there since 1953.
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The regular season wraps up with two rivalry games. Arkansas comes to Austin on November 21, and then it’s the Lone Star Showdown. Texas travels to College Station to play Texas A&M on Friday, November 27.
What most people get wrong about the schedule
Everyone looks at the "L" or "W" potential of the individual games. That's a mistake. The real factor here is the travel fatigue.
Going from a high-stakes game in Baton Rouge straight into a rivalry week against Arkansas, then heading to Kyle Field on a short week for a Friday game? That is brutal. Sarkisian has talked about "roster sustainability" before, and 2026 is where that philosophy gets its ultimate test.
We also have to acknowledge the Arch Manning factor. By 2026, he’ll be the seasoned veteran. The expectations for him to navigate this specific schedule—especially those road environments in Knoxville and Baton Rouge—are going to be immense.
Actionable steps for fans
If you’re planning on following the University of Texas Longhorns football schedule this season, here’s how to actually handle it:
- Lock in your Dallas hotels now. October 10 seems far away, but for Red River, it’s basically tomorrow.
- Watch the Friday night slot. The A&M game is on a Friday. Don't be the person who shows up on Saturday morning wondering why the stadium is empty.
- Monitor the secondary market for Ohio State. Prices for the Sept. 12 game are expected to be the highest in DKR history. If you see a "reasonable" seat in July, take it.
- Keep an eye on the injury report in late October. The gap between the Ole Miss game and the LSU road trip will determine if this team has the legs to finish.
The 2026 season isn't just a schedule; it’s a statement of whether Texas truly belongs at the top of the SEC food chain. It’s going to be a long, loud, and incredibly stressful ride. Hook 'em.