Arch Manning faces a brutal 2026 slate, battling playoff contenders and historic rivals.
If Arch Manning is going to cement his legacy at Texas, he won’t have an easy road.
The Longhorns enter the 2026 college football season with what On3 ranks as the third-toughest schedule in the country, trailing only Ohio State and Arkansas. That’s not exactly comforting, considering Texas will line up against both of those programs this fall.
For Manning, who is widely expected to make 2026 his final season in Austin before turning his attention to the NFL Draft, the mission is clear ... navigate a gauntlet that features playoff contenders, historic rivals, and brutal road environments.
Texas opens the season at home against Texas State on Sept. 5, but the intensity spikes immediately. Ohio State visits Austin on Sept. 12 in what could be one of the most anticipated nonconference matchups of the year.
The Buckeyes are coming off another College Football Playoff appearance, and the early test will reveal a lot about where Steve Sarkisian’s team stands nationally.
After a tune-up against UTSA, Texas travels to Tennessee before the annual Red River showdown with Oklahoma in Dallas on Oct. 10.
The Sooners boast the fourth-toughest schedule nationally and remain one of the premier programs in the sport.
The back half of the slate is even more demanding.
Texas faces four teams that participated in the 2025 College Football Playoff: Ohio State, Oklahoma, Ole Miss, and Texas A&M.
Road trips to Missouri and LSU add to the difficulty, with the Tigers sitting inside the preseason Top 10 in schedule strength.
Baton Rouge in mid-November is never forgiving, especially for a quarterback chasing championship expectations.
The regular season closes with Arkansas at home and a Black Friday showdown at Texas A&M - a rivalry game that could carry massive SEC and playoff implications.
It’s not just the marquee names that make this schedule dangerous. Florida and Mississippi State both gave Texas problems in 2025, proving there are no guaranteed wins in conference play.
For Manning, the opportunity is as big as the challenge. A strong season against this lineup would boost his Heisman Trophy candidacy and solidify Texas as a legitimate national championship contender. But the margin for error will be razor thin.
If the Longhorns hoist a title at the end of 2026, it won’t be because they avoided heavyweights. It will be because they beat them.