Texas’ 2026 schedule is coming into sharper focus, with the SEC and ESPN announcing additional kickoff windows and television details Wednesday, giving a clearer picture of how the Longhorns’ path through their second season in the conference will unfold.
The most notable early-season road test comes in Week 4, when Texas travels to Tennessee for an 11 a.m. CT kickoff on Sept. 26 at Neyland Stadium. The matchup, slated for either ABC or ESPN, presents a challenging environment for Steve Sarkisian’s group. An early kickoff in Knoxville often neutralizes some of the home-field intensity, but Tennessee’s tempo and crowd energy still make this one of the more difficult road trips on the schedule.
After a bye week, Texas returns to Dallas for the annual Red River Rivalry against Oklahoma on Oct. 10. Set for a 2:30 p.m. CT start at the Cotton Bowl, the game remains one of college football’s premier showcases. The mid-afternoon window ensures maximum national exposure, and with both programs now fully embedded in the SEC, the stakes and familiarity, continue to rise in a rivalry that rarely lacks drama.
Texas opens SEC play at home the following week against Florida (Oct. 17) in an early window. The noon kickoff could test both teams’ rhythm, but it also puts pressure on Texas to start fast against a Florida squad that traditionally leans on athleticism and defensive speed. It’s a tone-setter for a pivotal midseason stretch.
That stretch intensifies with Ole Miss visiting Austin on Oct. 24 in a flex window. Lane Kiffin’s offense has consistently been among the most explosive in the country, making this a potential swing game in the SEC race. The flex designation suggests this could become one of the more compelling matchups of the week depending on how both teams start the season.
Texas closes its three-game homestand against Mississippi State on Oct. 31 in a night window. While the Bulldogs may not carry the same national profile as others on the schedule, night games at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium have increasingly become an advantage for the Longhorns. It’s the type of game contenders are expected to control.
November begins with a road trip to Missouri (Nov. 7) in an early window. Missouri has proven to be a tricky matchup at home, and the early kickoff adds another layer of unpredictability. For Texas, execution and discipline will be critical in what could be a classic SEC grind.
The challenge escalates the following week at LSU (Nov. 14), one of the most difficult venues in college football. Slotted as a flex game, the Tigers could host Texas under the lights in Death Valley, a scenario that would test any roster. This game has the potential to carry major SEC Championship implications.
Texas returns home Nov. 21 to face Arkansas in an afternoon window, renewing a rivalry that has regained intensity since the Longhorns joined the SEC. With late-season positioning at stake, this matchup could have postseason ramifications, especially if both teams are in contention.
The regular season closes with the Lone Star Showdown at Texas A&M on Nov. 27, set for a 6:30 p.m. kickoff on ABC. The rivalry’s return has already delivered high stakes and heightened emotion, and a primetime slot ensures another nationally significant chapter between the in-state programs.
Under the SEC’s television agreement with ESPN, all conference-controlled games from Week 4 onward are assigned kickoff windows in advance, with exact start times finalized no later than six days prior to each game. The structure – Early, Afternoon, Night, and Flex – provides networks with scheduling flexibility while giving teams and fans a clearer framework heading into the season.
For Texas, the 2026 slate blends marquee showdowns, challenging road environments, and critical home opportunities, setting the stage for what could be a defining year in the program’s SEC era.
| Date | Opponent | Site | Time (CT) | TV / Window |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sept. 5 |
Texas State
|
Austin, Texas | 2:30 p.m. | ESPN |
| Sept. 12 |
Ohio State
|
Austin, Texas | 6:30 p.m. | ABC |
| Sept. 19 |
UTSA
|
Austin, Texas | 7 p.m. | SEC Network+ |
| Sept. 26 |
at Tennessee*
|
Knoxville, Tenn. | 11 a.m. | ABC or ESPN |
| Oct. 10 |
vs. Oklahoma*
|
Dallas, Texas | 2:30 p.m. | ABC or ESPN |
| Oct. 17 |
Florida*
|
Austin, Texas | Early | 11 a.m.-12 p.m. window / Network TBA |
| Oct. 24 |
Ole Miss*
|
Austin, Texas | Flex | Afternoon or Night / Network TBA |
| Oct. 31 |
Mississippi State*
|
Austin, Texas | Night | 5-7 p.m. window / Network TBA |
| Nov. 7 |
at Missouri*
|
Columbia, Mo. | Early | 11 a.m.-12 p.m. window / Network TBA |
| Nov. 14 |
at LSU*
|
Baton Rouge, La. | Flex | Afternoon or Night / Network TBA |
| Nov. 21 |
Arkansas*
|
Austin, Texas | Afternoon | 2:30-3:30 p.m. window / Network TBA |
| Nov. 27 |
at Texas A&M*
|
College Station, Texas | 6:30 p.m. | ABC |
