As spring practice approaches, the Longhorns have officially begun the climb towards 2026. That means looking forward to an incredibly challenging schedule. Trips to LSU, Texas A&M, Tennessee and Missouri are on the docket, as well as the annual Red River Rivalry and a visits from Ohio State and Ole Miss.
The 2026 season has been dubbed “title or bust” for the Longhorns and it’s going to be a tough battle to get there.
Here’s how I see the Longhorns schedule in terms of toughness:
1. November 14 at LSU
Anytime you walk into Death Valley, you are in for a fight. When it’s your 6th straight game without a bye coming off a game at Missouri, it’s especially tough. Lane Kiffin is in as the head guy in Baton Rouge and I expect this to be the toughest matchup Texas faces in 2026.
2. September 12 vs. Ohio State
The back half of the home-and-home with the Buckeyes comes in at No. 2. Ohio State, as you saw at the Combine this week, is losing a number of elite players to the NFL. They will still have top-tier talent all over the field, including the widely regarded best player in the country, Jeremiah Smith.
3. November 27 at Texas A&M
Texas was able to walk into College Station in 2024 and get the win. I expect this season to be an even tougher challenge. This will be the eighth straight game without a bye for the Longhorns and a short week of preparation. Texas A&M has faced plenty of turnover, both on the roster and coaching staff, but this will be a fight.
4. October 10 vs. Oklahoma (in Dallas)
Red River comes in at No. 4, mainly because of its placement on the calendar. Oklahoma will be the first game after the Longhorns sole bye week and follows a trip to Knoxville to open SEC play. Oklahoma figures to have Brent Venables best roster in 2026 and Sarkisian and company will have their hands full in Dallas.
5. October 24 vs. Ole Miss
Ole Miss would be much higher on this list but the changes to the coaching staff and roster casts doubt. That being said, Trinidad Chambliss and Kewan Lacy are likely the best backfield in the SEC and they’ve done a nice job reloading around them. This game taking place in Austin is huge because the Texas defense will need all the help they can get.
6. September 26 at Tennessee
Walking into Neyland Stadium for the first time is something every SEC legend talks about. It’s one of the most intimidating environments in the country and Texas will have to face it as their first road trip and SEC game. The Tennessee roster and coaching staff has churned this offseason but they still figure to have elite talent all over the field.
7. October 17 vs. Florida
This is the game Texas fans want to not only win, but dominate in 2026. I wouldn’t be confident that will happen because this Florida team will be remarkably talented. Aaron Philo enters from Georgia Tech to be QB1 and will be surrounded by Dallas Wilson, Eric Singleton Jr., Vernell Brown, Jadan Baugh and more elite talent. This will be a physical fight but it’ll be on home soil this time around.
8. November 7at Missouri
Missouri is one of the curious cases in the SEC this season. Austin Simmons enters from Ole Miss to be the likely starter under center with his teammate Cayden Lee joining him. There was attrition on the defensive side of the ball for the Tigers but nevertheless, this will be a tough task for the Longhorns, especially right before a trip to Baton Rouge.
9. November 21 vs. Arkansas
This is an interesting game because the placement is far from ideal. Texas invites the Razorbacks into Austin in between trips to Baton Rouge and College Station. However, this is one of the rosters/staffs changing the most in the offseason and I expect 2026 to be an uphill battle for Arkansas.
10. October 31 vs. Mississippi State
Mississippi State would be above Arkansas if it weren’t for the placement on the schedule. The Bulldogs come to Austin in between the Ole Miss and Missouri games, so it’s far from an easy stretch. Jeff Lebby’s group seems to be improving and with Kamario Taylor under center, the Bulldogs will be dangerous in 2026.
11. September 19 vs. UTSA
Unlike many of their Group of 5 counterparts, the Roadrunners weren’t picked apart by the portal as much. Star RB Robert Henry Jr. and QB Owen McCown stuck around for another season, meaning an experienced, well-coached group will be coming to Austin.
12. September 5 vs. Texas State
Texas State is the “easiest” game on the Longhorns schedule in my opinion but that’s not to say it’s a “lay-up”. GJ Kinne has built a strong program in San Marcos and Lincoln Pare is a truly dangerous RB that can cause problems for any defense.
This article originally appeared on Longhorns Wire: Ranking Longhorns 2026 opponents from toughest to easiest
Reporting by Tommy Bresee, Longhorns Wire / Longhorns Wire
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