TCU Football 2026 Schedule Breakdown: A New-Look Frogs Team Faces Big 12 Gauntlet
The Horned Frogs are back on the national radar after a strong 9-4 campaign in 2025 that landed them at No. 25 in the final AP Poll. Now, as TCU turns the page to 2026, they do so with a new offensive brain trust and a schedule that offers a mix of marquee matchups, revenge opportunities, and potential statement games - both at home and abroad.
Let’s dive into what lies ahead for the Frogs this fall.
New Faces, New Direction
The offense will have a fresh look in 2026. Gordon Sammis steps in as offensive coordinator, with Brad Gibbons taking over the quarterbacks room and Antonio Wilcox guiding the running backs. That trio inherits a unit that must replace some key contributors, including quarterback Josh Hoover - the only major departure via the transfer portal who logged over 400 snaps last season.
Despite the turnover, there’s optimism in Fort Worth. The Frogs return a solid core and will play seven games at home, including five Big 12 contests, giving them a strong foundation for another potential Top 25 run.
Week 1: A Global Kickoff in Dublin
Aug. 29 - vs. North Carolina (Dublin, Ireland)
TCU opens the season on the international stage, facing North Carolina in the Aer Lingus College Football Classic. This isn’t just a marketing spectacle - it’s a rematch of last year’s 48-14 blowout win in Chapel Hill.
The Frogs dominated that game, and now they’ll look to replicate that success across the Atlantic.
Week 2: Early Bye
Sept. 5 - BYE
An early bye week gives TCU time to recover from the long trip and gear up for a stretch of three straight non-conference games.
Weeks 3 & 4: Tuning Up at Home
Sept. 12 - vs. Grambling State
This will be just the second-ever meeting between the Frogs and Tigers. The last time these two met in 2012, TCU cruised to a 56-0 win.
Expect this to be a tune-up opportunity, especially for the new-look offense.
Sept. 19 - vs. Arkansas State
Arkansas State comes off a 7-6 season capped by a narrow bowl win, but historically, TCU has had their number. The Frogs are 2-0 all-time against the Red Wolves, including a 52-3 rout back in 2000.
Another chance for the Frogs to sharpen their edges before Big 12 play begins.
Week 5: Big 12 Opener on the Road
Sept. 26 - at UCF
TCU’s conference slate kicks off with a tricky road test in Orlando.
The Frogs will be looking to avenge a gut-wrenching 35-34 loss in 2024 - a game where they led 28-7 in the third quarter. UCF struggled last season, finishing 5-7, but the Knights are always dangerous at home.
Week 6: Back Home, Big Test
Oct. 3 - vs. BYU
This one will be circled. BYU finished 12-2 and made it to the Big 12 title game last year.
They dominated TCU in Provo, 44-13, in one of the Frogs’ toughest outings of the season. But the last time BYU came to Fort Worth?
A 44-11 TCU win. This could be a tone-setter for the Frogs’ Big 12 campaign.
Week 7: Midseason Bye
Oct. 10 - BYE
A well-placed bye before the back half of the season, which includes rivalry games and some serious Big 12 contenders.
Week 8: Rivalry Renewed
Oct. 17 - at Baylor
The “Bazooka on the Brazos” rivalry returns to Waco, where TCU has had success - four wins in their last five trips.
Last year, the Frogs held off a late Baylor rally to win 42-36. The Bears finished 5-7 in 2025, but this is always a heated battle, and recent history suggests fans should expect fireworks.
Weeks 9 & 10: Back-to-Back Home Games
Oct. 24 - vs. West Virginia
The Frogs took care of business in Morgantown last year, winning 23-17. West Virginia struggled in 2025, finishing 4-8 and near the bottom of the Big 12.
Still, the Mountaineers did win their last trip to Fort Worth in 2023, so TCU can’t afford to sleepwalk through this one.
Oct. 31 - vs. Kansas
Halloween in Fort Worth brings the Jayhawks to town. TCU has dominated this matchup historically, going 11-1 against Kansas since joining the Big 12.
The Frogs won their last meeting in 2024 at Arrowhead Stadium, 38-27. Kansas finished 5-7 last year, but they’ve been scrappy - and this could be a trap game if TCU isn’t careful.
Week 11: West Coast Road Trip
Nov. 7 - at Arizona
A visit to Tucson marks a key late-season road test.
The Frogs last played in Arizona back in 2003, winning a 13-10 grinder. More recently, they handled the Wildcats in 2024 with a 49-28 win in Fort Worth.
But Arizona turned heads last season, finishing 9-4 and emerging as one of the Big 12’s surprise teams. This one could have major postseason implications.
Weeks 12 & 13: Two-Game Home Stretch
Nov. 14 - vs. Kansas State
Kansas State has been a thorn in TCU’s side. The Wildcats hold a 9-5 edge in the series since TCU joined the Big 12 and handed the Frogs a 41-28 loss last season.
But the Frogs did win the last meeting in Fort Worth back in 2022. If TCU wants to climb the Big 12 ladder, this is a must-win.
Nov. 21 - vs. Utah
Utah is coming off an 11-2 season and a No. 14 finish in the AP Poll. The Utes have a slight edge in the all-time series, but TCU won the last matchup in Salt Lake City, 13-7.
The last time Utah visited Fort Worth? A 55-28 TCU demolition in 2009.
This one could be a heavyweight bout late in the season.
Week 14: Regular Season Finale in Lubbock
Nov. 28 - at Texas Tech
The Frogs wrap up the regular season with a trip to Lubbock to face a surging Red Raiders squad that just won the Big 12 title and finished 12-2.
TCU pulled off a thrilling 35-34 comeback win over Tech in 2024, but the Red Raiders got the better of them at home in 2023. Since 2012, TCU is 4-2 in Lubbock - but this one won’t be easy.
Final Thoughts
TCU’s 2026 schedule is no cakewalk, but it’s rich with opportunity. From a high-profile opener in Ireland to late-season showdowns against conference heavyweights, the Frogs have a chance to build on last year’s momentum - if their revamped offensive staff can find rhythm early and the team stays healthy.
With seven home games and a manageable road slate, the path is there. Now it’s up to TCU to walk it.