The schedule can make or break a team’s chances at a title. Last year, all but one of Texas’ really tough games were on the road and UT paid dearly. Meanwhile, Texas Tech benefitted from an easy slate and made the college football playoff. In 2026, Texas has the toughest schedule in the nation.
There are several games that will be of upmost importance to the Longhorns CFP chances. Some are must wins. With others, a loss can be overcome as long as there aren’t more than one or two.
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Much of Texas’ schedule is familiar. On the non-conference side of things, UTSA is a rematch from two years ago and of course Ohio State completes its home-and-home with Texas.
In the SEC, Texas A&M, Arkansas and Oklahoma are always on the schedule. This is also the third year in a row the Longhorns will face Mississippi State and Florida.
Texas fans will get their first looks at Tennessee, Missouri and LSU since joining the league. UT will face all three first-time conference foes on the road.
Here is our ranking of the games on Texas’ schedule, from easiest to hardest:
12. UTSA Roadrunners in Austin on Sept. 19
Sep 14, 2024; Austin, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns defensive lineman Vernon Broughton (45) pressures UTSA quarterback Owen McCown (2) during the game at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron E. Martinez/USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images
Analysis: The Roadrunners are one of two “easy” tuneup games for the Longhorns this season. UTSA is probably a little bit worse than Texas State, who won their rivalry game a year ago. Texas-San Antonio will get a nice check to warmup the Longhorns for the SEC schedule ahead.
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11. Texas State Bobcats in Austin on Sept. 5
Sep 13, 2025; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Texas State Bobcats head coach G. J. Kinne during a time out in the first quarter of the game between Arizona State Sun Devils and Texas State Bobcats. Mandatory Credit: Arianna Grainey-Imagn Images
Analysis: The Bobcats are also tuneup fodder for the Longhorns. But like UTSA, the San Marcos program will get a nice payday.
Oct 25, 2025; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs quarterback Blake Shapen (2) scrambles in the backfield as Texas Longhorns defensive linemen Colin Simmons (1) attempts to make the tackle during the second quarter at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
Analysis: The Bulldogs seem to get slightly better each year. But just slightly. Last year Hail State took the Longhorns into overtime in Starkville. But at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium the game should be over early.
9. Arkansas Razorbacks in Austin on Nov. 21
Nov 22, 2025; Austin, Texas, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks quarterback KJ Jackson (7) runs from the pocket while defended by Texas Longhorns defensive back Jelani McDonald (4) during the second half at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images
Analysis: Sometimes it’s hard to believe the Razorbacks used to be a college football super power. Arkansas hasn’t been very good in a while and despite a win over Texas early in Sarkisian’s tenure, the Hogs in Austin don’t seem like that much of a threat.
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8. Florida Gators in Austin on Oct. 17
Oct 4, 2025; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators offensive lineman Jake Slaughter (66) lines up against the Texas Longhorns defense during the second half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
Analysis: Texas will be looking to avenge its loss to the Gators in 2025 that cost the Longhorns a spot in the college football playoffs. This will be their third year in a row UT has played Florida. But the first against new Gators coach Jon Sumrall, who moved from Tulane to Gainesville.
Nov 29, 2025; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; Missouri Tigers quarterback Beau Pribula (9) hands off to wide receiver Kevin Coleman Jr (3) during the first quarter against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-Imagn Images
Analysis: The Tigers are the masters at beating blah teams and losing to good ones. Last season, Mizzou won eight games over teams that finished with a losing record and five losses to teams with a winning record. But the Tigers can be dangerous at home.
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6. Ole Miss Rebels in Austin on Oct. 24
Jan 8, 2026; Glendale, AZ, USA; Mississippi Rebels wide receiver Cayden Lee (19) reacts in the second half during the 2026 Fiesta Bowl and semifinal game of the College Football Playoff at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images
Analysis: The Rebels took a big step forward last season. But can they keep it up with the departure of coach Lane Kiffin? Certainly, the Ole Miss administration was happy with Texas Longhorns coach Steve Sarkisian’s comments about the academics at Mississippi.
5. Tennessee Volunteers in Knoxville on Sept. 26
Tennessee coach Josh Heupel talks with Tennessee wide receiver TK Keys (80) during the Vols’ spring football practice in Knoxville on March 17, 2026.
Analysis: There’s a certain animosity towards the University of Texas from Tennessee fans. It could be they both claim to be “UT.” Or the Vols resented Texas joinin the SEC. Either way, former Oklahoma QB, and Longhorns nemesis, Josh Heupel will have the Vols ready in front of 100,000 fans at Neyland Stadium.
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4. Oklahoma Sooners in Dallas on Oct. 10
Oct 11, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Oklahoma Sooners quarterback John Mateer (10) throws the ball over Texas Longhorns linebacker Trey Moore (8) during the first half at the Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Analysis: OU is improving under coach Brent Venables. QB John Mateer will be back, and even though Texas beat him up last season, the Washington State transfer was in his first game back from injury. The Texas-OU game is always unpredictable an a rivalry where upsets are commong place.
3. LSU Tigers in Baton Rouge on Nov. 14
Dec 27, 2025; Houston, TX, USA; Louisiana State Tigers linebacker Tylen Singleton (46) reacts during the second half against the Houston Cougars at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images
Analysis: We’ve all heard stories about how hard it is to play in Baton Rouge, especially at night when the cocktails have been flowing all day. We’re not sure of the game time yet, but you can be sure new Tigers coach Lane Kiffin will have something cooked up for his old friend Sark.
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2. Texas A&M Aggies in College Station on Nov. 27
Nov 28, 2025; Austin, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies wide receiver KC Concepcion (7) returns a punt during the first half against the Texas Longhorns at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images
Analysis: Aside from the voodoo the Longhorns seem to have over the Aggies, playing the final game of the regular season at College State is a tall task for any team. Texas A&M should be in the upper echelon of the SEC, which means they’ll be one of the best teams in the country.
1. Ohio State Buckeyes in Austin on Sept. 12
Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Arvell Reese (8) pursues Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) during the NCAA football game at Ohio Stadium on Aug. 30, 2025.
Analysis: Even in Austin, this is still Ohio State. There’s a good chance the Buckeyes will be the higher ranked team when they play in Week 2 of the season. Arch Manning and the Longhorns will have a game under their belt, as opposed to opening against Ohio State like last year. UT should be better equipped this time around, but it will be Texas’ toughest game on the schedule.
This article originally appeared on Longhorns Wire: Texas 2026 football schedule ranking: Easiest to hardest opponents
