One of the biggest narratives heading into the 2026 college football season is the difficulty of the Texas Longhorns schedule. Now, a new list from USA TODAY Sports proves just how tough the Texas slate is. The Longhorns are in 50-percent of the biggest games in 2026.
USA TODAY Sports scribe Blake Toppmeyer has listed the Top 10 games of 2026. Five of the 10 involve Texas. Win or lose, the list shows how big the Texas Longhorns brand is.
The list starts with the Longhorns Week 2 matchup with Ohio State and ends with the Lone Star Shootout against rival Texas A&M on Black Friday.
Hope your friends aren't getting married on Oct. 10 or Nov. 7... pic.twitter.com/XONfsZELsp
— USA TODAY Sports (@usatodaysports) August 13, 2026
Here's what the list reveals about Texas' tough schedule:
This rematch of a 2025 season opener will be a test of Arch Manning’s development. He struggled against the Buckeyes in their last meeting. Since then, he’s whipped Michigan, so now we’ll see if he’s ready for Ohio State, Part II. We’ll also learn whether Ohio State deserves that No. 1 ranking. - Blake Toppmeyer
This rivalry belongs on a top-games list almost every season, but especially this year. The outcome could determine which of these teams goes to the playoff, and which goes to an also-ran bowl. OK, so nothing prohibits the possibility of both teams making the playoff, but Texas and Oklahoma will face two of the nation’s toughest schedules, and the loser of this one could depart Dallas on playoff life support. - Blake Toppmeyer
It’s Trinidad Chambliss vs. Arch Manning. Do I really need to hype this game any more than that? Heisman Trophy voters must tune in to this one. - Blake Toppmeyer
Notice how often Texas appears on this list? That should tell you the Longhorns’ schedule is fully loaded. Also, Manning will spend a lot of his season playing for national audiences in prime time. The game time hasn’t been announced yet for this one, but want to bet it’ll be cast for Death Valley after dark? Kiffin relishes the idea of coaching in night games at Tiger Stadium. LSU hired Kiffin to not just coach in these games, but to win them. - Blake Toppmeyer
Glory be that Texas-Texas A&M has been restored to Black Friday. Few things go better with Thanksgiving leftovers than Aggies-Longhorns. Even better, this one could amount to a play-in game for the playoff, where the winner goes to the bracket and the loser goes to some bowl game that used to matter a lot more. Texas is 2-0 against the Aggies since joining the SEC. That doesn’t sit well with Texas A&M quarterback Marcel Reed. - Blake Toppmeyer
If the Longhorns make it to the college football playoff and beyond, they will earn it.
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This article originally appeared on Longhorns Wire: Texas football dominates list of Top 10 biggest games in 2026