So, the dust has finally settled on the 2025 season. Texas fans are still buzzing about that 41-27 Citrus Bowl win over Michigan on New Year’s Eve, a game where the Longhorns looked every bit like the powerhouse Steve Sarkisian promised. But honestly, looking back is for teams that aren't about to face the most brutal nine-game conference stretch in school history.
The univ texas football schedule for 2026 isn't just a list of games. It's a fundamental shift in how the SEC operates. We are officially moving to a nine-game conference format, and for Texas, that means three permanent rivals are locked in: Texas A&M, Oklahoma, and Arkansas.
If you thought the transition to the SEC was tough before, wait until you see the gauntlet waiting in Austin and on the road this coming fall.
The 2026 Non-Conference Drama
Most teams like to "buy" a few wins in September. Texas isn't most teams. While they start with Texas State on September 5, things get real fast.
The highlight of the early season is undoubtedly the rematch with Ohio State on September 12. Remember last August in Columbus? The 14-7 loss was a defensive masterpiece that left the Longhorn offense searching for answers. This time, the Buckeyes are coming to DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium. It’s the kind of game that usually happens in January, not the second week of September.
💡 You might also like: Navy Notre Dame Football: Why This Rivalry Still Hits Different
After that, they wrap up the non-con against UTSA on September 19. It’s a "sandwich game" that could be dangerous if the team is still hungover—emotionally or physically—from the Ohio State showdown.
Navigating the SEC Gauntlet
When conference play kicks off, the schedule becomes a relentless grind. The move to nine games means there’s no "off" week once you hit October. Here is what the path looks like:
- Sept. 26: at Tennessee. A trip to Neyland Stadium is never easy, but opening SEC play there is a massive test of poise for whichever quarterback is under center.
- Oct. 10: vs. Oklahoma (Dallas). The Red River Rivalry stays in its rightful home at the Cotton Bowl. After a dominant 23-6 win over the Sooners in 2025, you know Brent Venables will have that date circled in blood.
- Oct. 17: Florida. The Gators come to Austin. Last year’s 29-21 loss in Gainesville still stings for many in the locker room.
- Oct. 24: Ole Miss. Lane Kiffin brings his high-flying offense to DKR. This is a game that could easily turn into a 50-45 shootout.
- Oct. 31: Mississippi State. A Halloween matchup at home.
The back half of the univ texas football schedule is where championships are actually won or lost. November is basically a series of "must-win" playoff elimination games.
The November "Death Row"
If you’re a season ticket holder, you’ve basically paid for a front-row seat to a heart attack. On November 7, the Horns travel to Missouri—a team they haven't seen in a regular-season capacity since the old Big 12 days.
📖 Related: LeBron James Without Beard: Why the King Rarely Goes Clean Shaven Anymore
Then comes the big one. November 14 at LSU. Night games in Death Valley are the stuff of nightmares for visiting teams. If Texas can escape Baton Rouge with a win, they’ll return home to face Arkansas on November 21. The Razorbacks are a "permanent" rival now, and after a 52-37 shootout in 2025, this rivalry has officially regained its old-school vitriol.
Finally, the regular season concludes with the Lone Star Showdown. On Friday, November 27, Texas heads to Kyle Field to play Texas A&M. The Longhorns took the 2025 meeting 27-17, but playing in College Station on a short week is a different beast entirely.
What Fans Often Get Wrong
People keep talking about "strength of schedule" like it's a static number. It’s not. In the new SEC, a "weak" schedule doesn't exist. Critics pointed to the 2025 slate as being "easy" because of some home-flipped venues, but the 2026 reality is that Texas has to play arguably the three toughest road environments in the country: Tennessee, LSU, and Texas A&M.
Nuance matters here. You've got a team that finished 10-3 and just beat Michigan, yet they could play better football in 2026 and end up with the same record simply because the floor of the SEC has risen so high.
👉 See also: When is Georgia's next game: The 2026 Bulldog schedule and what to expect
Planning Your Season
If you are trying to make it to these games, start booking now. Seriously.
- Hotel prices in Austin for the Ohio State game (Sept 12) are already tripling in some areas.
- The Dallas stay for the OU game (Oct 10) is a logistical nightmare if you don't have a plan by June.
- The College Station trip (Nov 27) requires a Friday off work, so clear that calendar early.
This schedule is designed for the 12-team playoff era. A two-loss Texas team with this strength of schedule is a lock for the postseason. A three-loss team? They’re probably still in the conversation depending on how that Ohio State game goes.
Keep an eye on the injury report coming out of the spring ball sessions. Depth isn't just a luxury anymore; with nine SEC games and a potential SEC Championship on December 5, Texas will need 44 "starters" to survive until the playoffs begin.
Secure your tickets through the official Texas Athletics portal or reputable secondary markets early, as the hype for the 2026 season—the true beginning of the nine-game SEC era—is unlike anything we've seen since the 2005 championship run.