On paper, the Texas Longhorns look better than in 2025. But there’s a chance the Longhorns record doesn’t improve. Why? Because the Horns have one of the toughest schedules in the nation.
Texas went 9-3 in the regular season last year. The Longhorns lost two games to the two toughest opponents on the schedule, Ohio State and Georgia, and were upset by Florida. The three losses cost Texas a spot in the college football playoff.
But this year’s schedule is tougher. With the release of the US LBM Coaches Poll last week, we now know the Horns will face the No. 1 team in the country, as well as No. 8, No. 9, No. 10, No. 13, No. 18 and No. 25. More than half of UT’s games are against ranked opponents.
Three opponents in particular are especially daunting. Two of those games are on the road and one will be in Austin at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Realistically, Texas could easily lose all three of these games. Would it cost the Longhorns a CFP spot? Hard to tell right now, but Longhorns fans should be aware of these danger games.
Sept. 12: No. 1 Ohio State Buckeyes in Austin
The good news is, this year’s game with the Buckeyes is in Austin. The bad news is, Ohio State will come to DKR as the No. 1 team in the country.
The Buckeyes are loaded, with star wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, QB Julian Sayin and an offensive line featuring multiple All-Americans. The OSU defense is always strong.
The game is an odd role-reversal from last year. In 2025, the Longhorns were preseason No. 1 that was playing on the road and were a 2.5 point underdog at the Horseshoe in Columbus, OH. The Buckeyes were No. 3 in the ranking.
This year, it’s almost the exact opposite. Ohio State is No. 1 on the road and are currently a 2.5 point underdog. Texas is ranked No. 4.
We should know a lot more about how realistic the Longhorns championship ambitions are after this Week 2 matchup.
Nov. 14: No. 13 LSU Tigers in Baton Rouge
Texas last played in Baton Rouge in 1953. The two programs were supposed to meet in Louisiana in 2020, but the game was canceled do to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Over the past several decades, Tigers Stadium has become one of the most feared venues in the sport. Nicknamed “Death Valley,” LSU has one of the most vocal crowds in the nation. It is even louder at night. It is a good bet this game will be in prime time.
The Tigers are very different than they have been over the past few years. Lane Kiffin takes over as head coach. Texas coach Steve Sarkisian and Kiffin are friends, but that will be tossed out the window in November. Kiffin would love to upset UT.
LSU also has a new quarterback. Sam Leavitt transferred from Arizona State and should give the Tigers veteran leadership. Longhorns fans will remember Leavitt from the 2025 Peach Bowl, where the then redshirt freshman took Texas to double overtime as the Sun Devils QB.
It will be a tough night for Texas, win or lose.
Nov. 27: No. 8 Texas A&M Aggies in College Station
The Longhorns biggest rival plays host to Texas for the second time since UT joined the SEC. After A&M left the Big 12 to get away from Texas, the rivalry took a pause for more than a decade. It was no secret the Aggies weren’t happy about being in the same conference as the Horns again and the crowd in 2024 was ferocious.
The Longhorns were able to win that game 17-7. Texas also beat the Aggies last year at DKR 27-17, ruining A&M’s undefeated season. Aggie fans will be out for blood.
Beyond the combustable emotions, the Aggies have a very good team. Ranked No. 8 in the Coaches Poll, the Aggies feature one of the most dynamic QBs in game in junior Marcel Reed to go with a staunch defense.
The Black Friday matchup is also the final game of the regular season, increasing the stakes of the matchup.
This article originally appeared on Longhorns Wire: Texas Football Schedule: Three dangerous games for Longhorns
Reporting by Trey Luerssen, Longhorns Wire / Longhorns Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Trey Luerssen, Longhorns Wire | USA TODAY Network
