Get ready for some serious gridiron drama in 2026, because Texas is at the heart of two of the most mouth-watering matchups of the college football season! But here's where it gets controversial... While these games might not feature the highest-ranked teams, they're packed with storylines that will have fans on the edge of their seats. Think intense rivalries, coaches facing their former teams, and transfer portal twists—these are the games that earn the title of 'juicy.'
According to Andy Staples and Ari Wasserman of On3, Texas is right in the thick of it, with two games landing in the top 10 most anticipated matchups of the season. First up, the Longhorns' trip to College Station to battle the Texas A&M Aggies snagged the No. 10 spot. But it’s the week two showdown with the Ohio State Buckeyes in Austin that steals the show at No. 2. And this is the part most people miss... This isn’t just about quarterbacks—though Heisman hopefuls Arch Manning and Julian Sayin will undoubtedly light up the scoreboard. It’s also about the wide receivers. Wasserman highlights the Cam Coleman vs. Jeremiah Smith matchup as the biggest heavyweight fight in the sport next year, a battle that could redefine the receiver position.
Speaking of rivalries, Texas has been on a roll against the Aggies, winning three straight since joining the SEC in 2024. The last time Texas A&M beat the Longhorns in College Station? All the way back in 2007. Bold prediction alert: Could this be the year the Aggies finally turn the tide, or will Texas continue its dominance? The psychic weight of that losing streak is something Texas A&M will have to carry into the Friday, November 27, clash.
Another game that just missed the cut? The annual Red River Showdown with Oklahoma on October 10. Texas has won three of the last four meetings, with Oklahoma scoring a mere nine points across those losses. Thought-provoking question: Is this rivalry losing its luster, or is it just setting the stage for an epic comeback?
Meanwhile, Lane Kiffin’s return to Oxford as LSU’s head coach to face Ole Miss took the top spot on the juicy list. But let’s not forget Texas’s trip to Baton Rouge on November 14, where Longhorns coach Steve Sarkisian and Kiffin—both Nick Saban protégés—will face off for the fourth time in their careers. Sarkisian leads the series 1-2, but will he even the score this time?
Texas kicks off its season on September 5 against Texas State, but it’s the September 12 primetime clash with Ohio State that has everyone talking. Controversial take: Could this game be a preview of the College Football Playoff? Let us know what you think in the comments—are these matchups as juicy as they seem, or is the hype overblown?
Here’s the full top-10 list from Andy and Ari:
- 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
Mark your calendars, grab your popcorn, and get ready for a season that promises to be anything but ordinary. What’s your take? Which matchup are you most excited for, and which one do you think will live up to the hype? Let the debate begin!
