So you're looking for the game. You've got the burnt orange or the Tennessee orange ready, and you're staring at the remote wondering where the heck the channel went. Navigating the world of sports broadcasting right now is basically a full-time job. Between the "real" TV channels and the endless sea of streaming apps, finding out what channel is the ut football game on today can feel like trying to find a needle in a haystack.
Here is the deal.
Today is Sunday, January 18, 2026. If you came here looking for the University of Texas Longhorns or the University of Tennessee Volunteers playing a college football game today, I've got some news that might be a bit of a bummer. There are no college football games happening today. None.
The Longhorns actually finished their season back on December 31, 2025, in a high-scoring 41-27 victory over Michigan in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl. Tennessee also wrapped up their 2025-2026 campaign a few weeks ago, losing a heartbreaker 30-28 to Illinois in the Music City Bowl on December 30.
Why There Is No UT Football Today
If you see "UT" in the headlines today, people are almost certainly talking about the Houston Texans in the NFL playoffs or perhaps a basketball matchup.
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In the world of college football, we are currently in the "limbo" period between the semi-finals and the big one. The College Football Playoff National Championship is actually scheduled for tomorrow, Monday, January 19, 2026. That game features the #1 Indiana Hoosiers taking on the #10 Miami Hurricanes.
Wait, Indiana and Miami? Yeah, it's been a wild season.
If you're looking for football today, the NFL is hogging the spotlight with the Divisional Round. The Houston Texans (often referred to as the "other" UT by some in the state, though mostly just "the Texans") are playing the New England Patriots.
- Game: Houston Texans vs. New England Patriots
- Time: 3:00 PM ET
- Channel: ABC and ESPN
- Streaming: ESPN+ or Fubo
There's also a night game with the LA Rams and the Chicago Bears on NBC at 6:30 PM ET. But as far as the college kids in Austin or Knoxville go? They’re likely either in the weight room or catching up on classes they missed during bowl season.
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What Channel Is the UT Football Game on Today for Basketball?
Maybe you’re a dual-sport fan. If you're asking what channel is the ut football game on today because you're actually looking for the Longhorns or Vols on the hardwood, you're in a better spot.
College basketball is in the thick of conference play. While neither the Texas men's nor women's teams have a game scheduled for this specific Sunday, the Tennessee men's team just finished a huge game against Texas recently (back on January 6th).
Honestly, the confusion usually stems from the fact that "UT" is a contested acronym. If you're in Knoxville, UT is Tennessee. If you're in Austin, UT is Texas. In the 2025 season, both teams had their moments, but the playoff bracket just didn't fall their way this time around. Texas finished the regular season with a big win over Texas A&M in the Lone Star Showdown, but a few mid-season stumbles kept them out of the 12-team playoff.
Looking Ahead to the 2026 UT Football Season
Since you can't watch them today, you might as well mark your calendars for when you can see them again. The 2026 schedules are already out, and they are brutal.
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The Texas Longhorns open their 2026 season on Saturday, September 5, against Texas State. But the game everyone is circling is the following week, September 12, when Ohio State comes to Austin. That's going to be a primetime ABC/ESPN game for sure.
The Tennessee Volunteers also start on September 5 against Furman. The most interesting part? Texas and Tennessee actually play each other in 2026! That game is set for September 26, 2026, in Knoxville at Neyland Stadium. It’ll be the first time the Longhorns visit the Checkerboard since they joined the SEC.
How to Stay Ready for the Next Kickoff
To make sure you aren't stuck searching for what channel is the ut football game on today next season, here is what you should keep on your phone:
- The ESPN App: It’s the easiest way to see "live" schedules. Even if the game isn't on an ESPN channel, they usually list the broadcast info.
- Conference Apps: Download the SEC Mobile app. Since both schools are now in the SEC, the TV rights are almost exclusively tied to ABC, ESPN, and the SEC Network.
- Local Listings: If you're in Austin or Knoxville, local affiliates for ABC (KVUE or WATE) will always have the pre-game coverage.
Basically, college football on a Sunday is a rarity unless it's a special Labor Day weekend opening or a weird scheduling fluke. Sunday belongs to the pros.
If you're desperate for a fix of orange and white, your best bet is to head over to YouTube and look up the 2025 Citrus Bowl highlights. Seeing Arch Manning or whoever ends up taking the snaps for the 2026 season lead the Horns to that win over Michigan is a decent way to spend a Sunday afternoon.
Since there is no game today, your next move is to gear up for the National Championship tomorrow night. It's Indiana vs. Miami at 7:30 PM ET on ESPN. It’s not UT, but it’s the last college football you’ll get until August. You should also check your local listings for the UT basketball schedule, as conference play heats up this week with several mid-week matchups on ESPN2 and the SEC Network.