The Texas Longhorns’ 2025 college football schedule has been officially rearranged, and with that shake-up comes a renewed look at what challenges lie ahead for Steve Sarkisian’s squad. Now that the dates and venues are finalized, it’s time to take a comprehensive look at Texas’ upcoming season slate, evaluating each matchup from the most difficult to the least based on opponent talent, location, coaching acumen, historical rivalry tension, and scheduling dynamics like bye weeks or short turnarounds. With the Longhorns making the leap to full SEC competition and facing some of the nation’s top-tier programs, the gauntlet they must run this year is not for the faint of heart.
At the very top of the difficulty ladder sits the road showdown against the Georgia Bulldogs. Even with the departure of several defensive stars to the NFL, Kirby Smart’s program has been a juggernaut for nearly a decade. The game will be played in Athens, where Georgia rarely loses, and the crowd noise alone will be a major factor. Georgia’s blend of power run schemes, elite pass rush, and all-around discipline makes them the most daunting test Texas will face all season. Any hope for an upset would depend heavily on quarterback Quinn Ewers performing at an elite level and the Texas offensive line holding up against Georgia’s rotating cast of future first-round defensive linemen.
Not far behind, Texas must also contend with a brutal matchup against Alabama. Although this time the game will be in Austin, the Crimson Tide under Kalen DeBoer are still projected to be in the College Football Playoff hunt. While Texas beat Alabama last year in Tuscaloosa in what became a statement win for Sarkisian’s program, the Tide will be eager to return the favor. The new quarterback situation at Alabama might be less settled, but their defense and skill position talent remain top-tier. The Longhorns will have to be nearly perfect on both sides of the ball to avoid being overwhelmed by Alabama’s speed and physicality.
Coming next is the trip to Fayetteville to take on Arkansas, a game that is much more dangerous than it might appear on paper. Sam Pittman has built a team that can be physically dominant in the trenches, and playing in Razorback Stadium adds an emotional layer, especially given the old Southwest Conference rivalry between these two teams. Texas fans vividly remember the 2021 disaster in Arkansas, and the hostile environment will be even more amplified now that both schools are in the SEC. With a potent run game and a quarterback who can extend plays, Arkansas presents a gritty challenge.
LSU also poses a significant threat, and though this game is scheduled in Austin, the Tigers’ combination of explosive offense and opportunistic defense makes them dangerous. Brian Kelly’s program continues to evolve, and with a deep quarterback room and several blue-chip receivers, they can hang with anyone. The Longhorns will need their secondary, particularly their safeties, to play their best football to avoid giving up big plays. The margin for error against LSU is slim, and the Longhorns’ ability to win at the line of scrimmage will likely dictate the outcome.
Following close behind is the annual Red River Rivalry clash with Oklahoma. Regardless of where these two teams sit in the rankings or how well they’ve been playing, this neutral-site game in the Cotton Bowl is always a high-stakes, emotionally-charged brawl. Brent Venables has started to rebuild Oklahoma’s defense, and with quarterback Jackson Arnold now fully entrenched as the starter, the Sooners could be an entirely different team from the one Texas dominated in 2023. Texas will need to bring intensity and precision if they want to stay on top of this historic rivalry, as the emotional swings of this game often override season narratives.
Another tough one comes in the form of a road game against Ole Miss. Lane Kiffin’s offense is known for being unpredictable and aggressive, and a trip to Oxford late in the season could be especially perilous. If Texas comes into this game banged up or complacent, Ole Miss could steal one with explosive plays and clever scheming. The Longhorns’ defensive front will be tested against a fast-paced, spread-out attack, and the corners will have to play on an island much of the night. Fatigue, both mental and physical, could be a hidden enemy in this trap-like game.
The home game against Tennessee comes next in terms of challenge level. Josh Heupel’s Volunteers can light up the scoreboard when their up-tempo offense gets in rhythm, but they have also shown inconsistency, particularly on the road. If this matchup falls later in the season when Tennessee is still in the SEC East race, their urgency will be heightened. However, if Texas can start fast and neutralize the Vols’ pace, they could control the game. Still, the speed and unpredictability of Tennessee’s offensive tempo puts them squarely in the upper-middle tier of this schedule’s threats.
Traveling to Mississippi State provides another sneaky challenge. The Bulldogs, now in the post-Mike Leach era, are still figuring out their identity, but they play a physical brand of football that can wear down more talented teams. Starkville at night is one of the more underrated hostile environments in the SEC. If this game is sandwiched between two more high-profile opponents, Texas could fall victim to a classic look-ahead scenario. While Mississippi State may lack the depth of other SEC powers, they are good enough to spring an upset if taken lightly.
A game that falls on the less challenging side of the spectrum is the home matchup against Kentucky. Mark Stoops has made Kentucky a consistently competitive program, but the Wildcats’ ceiling remains limited. Their offensive line play and ability to force turnovers give them a shot in most games, but talent disparity and the road setting work against them here. Texas should be able to outpace Kentucky unless they commit multiple turnovers or get bogged down with penalties and missed assignments.
Vanderbilt is widely considered the easiest SEC opponent for most teams, and the Longhorns will host them this season. Even though Clark Lea is working hard to rebuild the Commodores, they remain near the bottom of the conference in terms of depth, athleticism, and raw talent. This game should provide Texas with a good opportunity to rotate in younger players and clean up execution. Unless something goes catastrophically wrong, it would be one of the few comfortable wins on an otherwise brutal schedule.
In the non-conference realm, Texas will face UTSA early in the year. The Roadrunners, led by Jeff Traylor, are not pushovers and have developed into one of the best Group of Five programs in the country. Their experience and coaching make them a tough out, especially if Texas comes into the game with a lack of urgency. That said, the athletic gap between the two squads is noticeable, and the Longhorns’ second and third-string players would likely still be favored in such a matchup. Texas must simply avoid playing down to the competition and stay focused.
Another Group of Five opponent comes in the form of ULM (Louisiana-Monroe), and while every game matters in the playoff race, this one should not cause Texas any serious concern. The Warhawks are undergoing a complete rebuild and simply don’t have the horses to compete with Texas in any phase of the game. This matchup serves more as a glorified scrimmage to fine-tune offensive rhythm and defensive assignments before diving into the meat of the SEC slate.
Rounding out the schedule is a matchup against Texas State, another in-state Group of Five team. Though they’ve shown signs of improvement in recent years, the Bobcats are still far from SEC-level competition. This game is about injury avoidance, execution, and building depth. It might not have the fireworks of an SEC slugfest, but it will be important for the Longhorns to treat it with professionalism and precision to avoid any embarrassing moments.
The 2025 season for the Texas Longhorns will be a litmus test of the program’s readiness to compete at the highest level of college football. From blueblood showdowns against Alabama and Georgia to heated rivalries with Oklahoma and Arkansas, the road is both treacherous and exciting. The key to surviving this lineup will be consistency, roster health, and leadership from returning stars. In a conference where one slip-up can derail national title hopes, every matchup matters — even the ones that seem easiest on paper. With the new-look schedule offering no true breathing room, Texas will have to earn every inch of respect and every win the hard way.
