Texas: 3 games that will define 2026 season
· Yahoo Sports
The Texas Longhorns made a great effort at the end of the regular season by knocking off then-No. 3 Texas A&M 27-17 on Nov. 28.
However, losses to Ohio State, Florida and Georgia kept the Longhorns out of the College Football Playoff in quarterback Arch Manning’s first season as a starter.
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The Longhorns went all-in during the transfer portal this offseason, giving Manning a true No. 1 wide receiver in Cam Coleman, upgrades on the offensive line, and a dangerous running back in Hollywood Smothers.
Texas will enter the 2026 campaign as a favorite to win the national championship. Like last season, the schedule will be tricky. Here are three games that will define the Longhorns’ season.
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Arch Manning #16 of the Texas Longhorns during warm-up before the 2025 Cheez-It Citrus Bowl between the Texas Longhorns and Michigan Wolverines at Camping World Stadium on December 31, 2025 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Dustin Markland/Getty Images)More News: Texas HC Steve Sarkisian Slams Ole Miss for ‘Basket Weaving’ Degree
Ohio State at Texas (Sept. 12)
Ohio State’s defense got the best of Manning in 2025. The Buckeyes defeated Texas 14-7 at Ohio Stadium.
It’s the Buckeyes’ turn to visit Austin this season, and Texas should be a more complete team when the two CFP hopefuls face off in Week 2. For the Longhorns, this contest can’t be about scoring a moral victory. With a grueling SEC schedule ahead, Texas needs to find a way to win this game.
New defensive coordinator Will Muschamp will have his hands full finding ways to defend Jeremiah Smith, arguably the best player in college football this fall.
Texas at LSU (Nov. 14)
Texas won’t play Georgia in a mid-November game this year, but a much-hyped LSU squad will fill that void. The Tigers gave new head coach Lane Kiffin vast resources in his first season, and the team is expected to compete for a CFP spot.
New LSU quarterback Sam Leavitt played Texas in the CFP when he was at Arizona State in 2024. He threw for 222 yards and one interception while adding 60 yards on the ground in the Longhorns’ 39-31 win in double overtime in the CFP quarterfinal at the Peach Bowl. Leavitt will have much better talent around him at LSU.
The late-season contest between Texas and LSU should have implications for both the SEC championship and CFP race.
Texas at Texas A&M (Nov. 27)
Texas has won the last three meetings in its rivalry with Texas A&M, including an upset of the previously unbeaten Aggies last season.
Texas A&M should be back in contention to make the CFP with quarterback Marcel Reed under center. Reed struggled against Texas’ defense last season, throwing for 180 yards and two interceptions in the loss for the Aggies.
The Longhorns should be traveling to College Station with a lot on the line in this contest. A win over their hated rival at Kyle Field could be the difference in earning a bye for the CFP or going on the road in the first round.
For more on the NCAA, head to Newsweek Sports.
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