Texas: The 2026 College Football Season's Most Anticipated Matchups
The 2026 college football season is just around the corner, and while it's still six months away, there are already some exciting matchups to look forward to. These games, known as 'juiciest' matchups, feature incredible storylines that go beyond just ranked teams facing off. According to Andy Staples and Ari Wasserman of On3, Texas is involved in two of these highly anticipated games.
The first is a trip to College Station to face the Texas A&M Aggies, which was ranked as the 10th 'juiciest' matchup. The Longhorns have a strong rivalry with the Aggies, having won their last three meetings since joining the SEC in 2024. The Aggies haven't beaten Texas in College Station since 2007, and the Longhorns are on a three-game winning streak in the Lone Star Showdown. In 2025, Texas won 27-17 in Austin, with Arch Manning's rushing and passing touchdowns proving crucial.
The second highly anticipated game is a return match with the Ohio State Buckeyes in week two. This game will take place in Austin, and it's expected to be a primetime start. The Buckeyes will travel to face the Longhorns, and it will be a battle of Heisman hopefuls at quarterback, with Texas' Manning and Ohio State's Julian Sayin. The game will also feature some of the best wideouts in the sport, creating a 'heavyweight fight' between the two teams' receivers.
The Longhorns' most recent outing with the Buckeyes ended in a loss for Texas in the 2025 season. However, this year's game is expected to be a different story, with the Buckeyes traveling to Austin. The rivalry between the two teams adds an extra layer of excitement to the matchup.
Other notable matchups that made the top 10 list include the annual battle with Oklahoma in Dallas on October 10, where the Longhorns have won three out of four games. The Longhorns also have a trip to LSU to face the Tigers in Baton Rouge on November 14, which features two former Nick Saban disciples, Steve Sarkisian and Lane Kiffin, who have faced off three times in their careers.
The full top 10 list of 'juiciest' matchups for the 2026 season, as compiled by Andy and Ari, includes:
- LSU at Ole Miss - September 19
- Ohio State at Texas - September 12
- Miami (Fla.) at Notre Dame - November 7
- Georgia at Alabama - October 10
- Florida at Auburn - September 19
- Penn State at Michigan - October 17
- Texas Tech at Cincinnati - October 24
- Oregon at USC - September 26
- Duke at Miami (Fla.) - November 17
- Texas at Texas A&M - November 27
These matchups are sure to provide some exciting football action and will keep fans on the edge of their seats until the season begins.
