Texas is chasing something it hasn’t captured in more than two decades, and the road there is brutal.
With a proven quarterback, major portal help and a pair of elite lines, the Longhorns have the look of a real national title contender. But the schedule waiting for Steve Sarkisian’s team is loaded.
ESPN’s Football Power Index has Texas with the No. 3 toughest strength of schedule in the country, and Phil Steele has it at No. 1.
That grind starts with six opponents ranked in the top 25. Ohio State, ranked No. 1, comes to Austin in Week 2.
Oklahoma is No. 13 in Dallas. Ole Miss, ranked No. 9, visits Austin.
Then come the road trips: LSU at No. 11, Texas A&M at No. 10 and Tennessee at No.
Texas will see six teams it played last season, but the bigger story is how much some of those familiar names have changed. Several of the Longhorns’ SEC opponents have new looks, new coaches and new identities, which means Sarkisian is preparing for a very different kind of slate.
No team on Texas’ 2026 schedule has changed more than Florida.
The Gators finished 4-8 overall and 2-6 in SEC play after parting ways with Billy Napier midseason, then turned the page in a big way. After the 2025 season, Florida saw 34 players enter the transfer portal, including quarterback DJ Lagway, who eventually committed to Baylor.
The Gators answered by bringing in nearly 30 transfer additions across the defensive backs, wide receivers and offensive line. They also hired Jon Sumrall as head coach.
In other words, Florida is basically building from the ground up.
That doesn’t automatically make the Gators the most dangerous team on the schedule, though. That label probably belongs to Ole Miss.
The Rebels handled their coaching change differently. When Lane Kiffin left for LSU, Pete Golding took over and kept the core intact instead of starting over. Ole Miss then used the portal to plug in specific pieces around that continuity.
The headliner is quarterback Trinidad Chambliss, who is already being talked about as a legitimate Heisman contender and has experience handling SEC defenses. He’ll work alongside running back Kewan Lacy, giving the Rebels one of the most explosive backfields in the sport. Golding also added experienced Power Four linebackers and defensive backs to strengthen the defense.
That mix of continuity and targeted upgrades is why Ole Miss is being viewed as a real championship contender. The Rebels are expected to open the season in the top 10, and the SEC preseason media poll put them third in the league behind Georgia and Texas.
Texas gets that matchup in Austin on Oct. 24, and it could be one of the defining games on the schedule.
LSU is another team that looks different, and the Tigers might be even more dangerous by the time Texas gets there. After Brian Kelly’s midseason departure, LSU brought in former Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin and his fast-paced, high-powered offense. The Longhorns travel to Tiger Stadium on Nov. 14, which means LSU will have nearly a full season in that system by then.
That trip is a problem for any visitor. Playing in Baton Rouge in November is already one of the toughest assignments Texas will face all year, and it could be even bigger if both teams are still in the College Football Playoff hunt. LSU already has the talent to compete, and with a new offensive structure plus portal help on the defensive line, the Tigers could be much more dangerous as the season unfolds.
For Texas, this schedule is a hurdle and a proving ground at the same time. Six ranked opponents.
Multiple hostile road environments. A string of teams with different identities and plenty of talent.
If the Longhorns survive it, they’ll be hardened for the postseason. That kind of gauntlet can wear a team down, but it can also prepare one for the pressure waiting in the College Football Playoff.
As fall camp gets going, Texas is staring straight at one of the hardest slates in the country. For a team with championship goals, that might be exactly the kind of test it needs.
In Other News...
Ole Miss Just Added Another Bitter Twist To Lane Kiffins Return
Lane Kiffins return to the SEC spotlight already had plenty of edge to it, and now the backdrop has gotten even sharper. Ole Miss and LSU are headed toward a meeting that was always going to draw attention, but the story around it has grown beyond the usual rivalry chatter, with the Rebels and Tigers suddenly tied together by more than just the coaching change in Baton Rouge.
The tension is now layered on top of the familiar football stakes, because the game comes with bragging rights, recruiting fallout and a bigger-picture race that could matter well beyond one Saturday. For Ole Miss, the matchup is no longer just about seeing a former coach on the opposite sideline. It is about facing him with a fresh dispute hanging in the air and a chance for the rivalry to feel even more personal when the teams finally line up. [Read more 🡒]
These 5 New Rebels Could Win Over Ole Miss Fans Fast
Ole Miss has spent plenty of time talking about the newcomers who could shape the 2026 season, and the appeal is easy to see. Cook brings a winding path through Texas, Washington and Syracuse before his breakout there, Hasz arrives with the kind of tight end skill set that fits naturally in the offense, Gill comes in after a productive stop at Syracuse, Echoles adds interior presence on defense and Thomas gives the Rebels another experienced piece in the middle of the field.
What makes this group interesting is how quickly each could carve out a role once camp turns into real reps. The offense can use more reliable targets and versatility, while the defense is looking for impact players who can settle into the scheme without much delay. If these five adjust the way Ole Miss hopes, the Rebels may have found a transfer class that changes the tone of the roster before the season even gets rolling. [Read more 🡒]
Ole Miss Enters Fall Camp With Key Availability Still In Doubt
Ole Miss heads into fall camp still managing the aftereffects of a spring and winter that were interrupted by a string of injuries, though the overall message from Pete Golding has been more caution than alarm. The Rebels have been careful with several players who were limited at different points, and the staff has treated the situation as one of recovery and availability rather than anything that looks long term.
Among the names worth watching is transfer Jordan Renaud, who arrived with a lower-body issue and is still being monitored as the staff waits for clearance. Georgia transfer safety Joenel Aguero also remains a player to keep an eye on after a limited spring, leaving Ole Miss with a few key pieces whose status could shape how quickly the defense settles once camp gets rolling. [Read more 🡒]