Thomass
New member
I've lived in Texas my whole life, and I don't think I've ever seen this much excitement across so many programs at once. With the expanded College Football Playoff and the new-look SEC and Big 12, the 2026 season is shaping up to be unforgettable for Texas fans. Here's why I'm so pumped.
Texas is the headliner, no question. Arch Manning is back for what's likely his final season, and he finished 2025 on an absolute tear—over 3,500 yards of total offense and 36 touchdowns, with 15 scores and only one pick in his last five games . Steve Sarkisian added Cam Coleman (Auburn transfer) at receiver and Hollywood Smothers at running back, plus Will Muschamp takes over as defensive coordinator . The schedule is brutal (third toughest in the nation, with Ohio State, Oklahoma, Ole Miss, and Texas A&M all on the docket), but if they survive, a national title run is absolutely possible .
Texas A&M is right there with them. Mike Elko's squad went 11-2 and made the playoff in 2025, and Marcel Reed is back at quarterback . The Aggies brought in one of the top transfer portal classes to rebuild the trenches, and they're ranked third nationally in most way-too-early polls . The Lone Star Showdown against Texas on November 27 is going to be epic.
Texas Tech is the defending Big 12 champ, and their 2026 schedule is ridiculously favorable . They avoid BYU and Utah in conference play, and their road games are against teams that mostly had losing records last year . If they can get past the narrative that the Big 12 isn't on the same level as the SEC, they could make another playoff run.
TCU opens the season in Dublin against North Carolina on August 29, which is going to be a blast . They've got a tough Big 12 slate, but Sonny Dykes always seems to find a way.
Houston is my sleeper pick. Willie Fritz got the "Year 2 bump" and rode it to a 10-win season and a Texas Bowl victory over LSU . Conner Weigman is back at QB, and they added one of the best portal classes in the Big 12. If they can navigate road trips to Texas Tech, Kansas State, and Utah, they could absolutely make it to Arlington.
Texas State is making the jump to the Pac-12, and they're positioned to be a major player in that new-look conference . Brad Jackson returns at quarterback, and keeping receivers Beau Sparks and Chris Dawn Jr. in San Marcos was the biggest portal win for any G6 school in the country .
From the Red Raiders in Lubbock to the Bobcats in San Marcos, there's just so much to be excited about. What a time to be a Texas college football fan!
Texas is the headliner, no question. Arch Manning is back for what's likely his final season, and he finished 2025 on an absolute tear—over 3,500 yards of total offense and 36 touchdowns, with 15 scores and only one pick in his last five games . Steve Sarkisian added Cam Coleman (Auburn transfer) at receiver and Hollywood Smothers at running back, plus Will Muschamp takes over as defensive coordinator . The schedule is brutal (third toughest in the nation, with Ohio State, Oklahoma, Ole Miss, and Texas A&M all on the docket), but if they survive, a national title run is absolutely possible .
Texas A&M is right there with them. Mike Elko's squad went 11-2 and made the playoff in 2025, and Marcel Reed is back at quarterback . The Aggies brought in one of the top transfer portal classes to rebuild the trenches, and they're ranked third nationally in most way-too-early polls . The Lone Star Showdown against Texas on November 27 is going to be epic.
Texas Tech is the defending Big 12 champ, and their 2026 schedule is ridiculously favorable . They avoid BYU and Utah in conference play, and their road games are against teams that mostly had losing records last year . If they can get past the narrative that the Big 12 isn't on the same level as the SEC, they could make another playoff run.
TCU opens the season in Dublin against North Carolina on August 29, which is going to be a blast . They've got a tough Big 12 slate, but Sonny Dykes always seems to find a way.
Houston is my sleeper pick. Willie Fritz got the "Year 2 bump" and rode it to a 10-win season and a Texas Bowl victory over LSU . Conner Weigman is back at QB, and they added one of the best portal classes in the Big 12. If they can navigate road trips to Texas Tech, Kansas State, and Utah, they could absolutely make it to Arlington.
Texas State is making the jump to the Pac-12, and they're positioned to be a major player in that new-look conference . Brad Jackson returns at quarterback, and keeping receivers Beau Sparks and Chris Dawn Jr. in San Marcos was the biggest portal win for any G6 school in the country .
From the Red Raiders in Lubbock to the Bobcats in San Marcos, there's just so much to be excited about. What a time to be a Texas college football fan!