As the season closes in, it’s about time to start taking a closer look at the Longhorns schedule. It’s known this is going to be a grind of a regular season for Texas, ranking 3rd in ESPN’s strength of schedule metric.
In large part, that is because you see Ohio State, LSU, Texas A&M, Ole Miss and Oklahoma on their schedule. However, there are a few “trap” games that could factor into that high SOS as much as the big matchups.
I’ve highlighted four games, with varying qualifiers, that Texas can’t overlook heading into this season or they could leave with a loss.
Sleeper Pick: At Missouri – November 7th
This is my “sleeper” pick simply because Missouri should never be overlooked. Eli Drinkwitz has consistently put a winning product on the field and I expect that to be the case again. Austin Simmons takes over at QB for the Tigers, with Jamal Robets by his side at RB, to at least start the season. Ahmad Hardy is still recovering after being involved in a shooting, but there is still hope he could be back on the field sometime this season. Regardless, this is a talented team with a strong coaching staff. If Texas isn’t prepared walking into Columbia, they’ll leave with a loss to start the gauntlet of November.
Better Not Be One But Could: Texas State – September 5th
Texas opens the season with the Bobcats and this is not a team that should be overlooked. Texas State has a path to the CFP in their first year in the Pac-12. Brad Jackson is one of, if not the best QB in all of the Group of 6. Beau Sparks is one of the best WRs you’ll find in the sport. Greg Burrell is a strong option at RB, coming off nearly a 700-yard season. This is a team, particularly an offense, that can cause all types of problems for Texas if they aren’t careful. Now, all that said, this should not be a game Texas has an issue with if they come in prepared and focused. If they do struggle, the issues will be exploited by Ohio State the next week.
Could Cause Problems: Arkansas – November 21st
This game is the epitome of a “trap” game. Arkansas comes to Austin right in the middle of a trip to Baton Rouge and College Station. On top of that, it’ll be the seventh straight game to that point. Ryan Silverfield comes in from Memphis and brings an offense that is capable of elite afternoons. KJ Jackson is slated to be the starter at QB, with talented RB Braylen Russell at his side. Quincy Rhodes Jr. on the other side is one of the best edge defenders in the sport. This is a team that I don’t expect much out of throughout the season, but if Texas catches the Razorbacks on the wrong afternoon, they could easily take a loss that can’t afford late in the season.
My Top Pick: Mississippi State – October 31st
Mississippi State will upset multiple SEC teams this season. I feel very confident saying that because I believe they have one of the highest ceiling QBs in the conference, Kamario Taylor. He’s capable of, and I believe will, take over multiple games this season and lead the Bulldogs to upsets. Add in Fluff Bothwell, Aiden Williams, Anthony Evans and more elite playmakers, this offense could be lethal. They come to Austin after the Ole Miss bout and before the trip to Missouri. This was a game that came down to OT last year and could very well happen again if Texas isn’t careful on Halloween.
This article originally appeared on Longhorns Wire: Top Trap Games In 2026: Longhorns can’t take Mississippi State lightly
Reporting by Tommy Bresee, Longhorns Wire / Longhorns Wire
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By Tommy Bresee, Longhorns Wire | USA TODAY Network
