Texas faces a brutal 2026 schedule, but Tennessee, Oklahoma and Missouri stand out as three games the Longhorns can't afford to give away.
Texas football doesn't need to go undefeated to reach the College Football Playoff in 2026. But if the Longhorns want to survive one of the nastiest schedules in the country, there are certain games Steve Sarkisian's team simply can't cough up.
LonghornsWire identified Tennessee, Oklahoma and Missouri as three must-win games for Texas, and it's hard to argue with the stakes surrounding each one.
The Longhorns already know they'll be tested by heavyweight matchups against No. 1 Ohio State, LSU and Texas A&M.
Those games could shape the national championship race. But losses against teams Texas should reasonably expect to beat could be even more damaging.
Texas learned that lesson the hard way in 2025.
Losses to Ohio State and Georgia were understandable. The killer was the upset at Florida, a defeat that ultimately helped leave Texas outside the CFP. One bad Saturday can turn a championship résumé into an argument.
That's why the Sept. 26 trip to No. 18 Tennessee feels enormous.
Neyland Stadium is one of college football's loudest environments, and more than 100,000 fans will be waiting for Texas.
Still, if the Longhorns view themselves as a national-title contender, beating Tennessee has to be the expectation. It's also Texas' SEC opener, making another early conference stumble especially dangerous.
Then comes No. 9 Oklahoma on Oct. 10 in Dallas.
The Red River Rivalry rarely follows the script, and quarterback John Mateer gives the Sooners legitimate upside after battling through a hand injury in 2025.
Both teams get a bye before the showdown, removing the usual excuses about fatigue or preparation.
For Texas, losing to Oklahoma could be a résumé grenade, particularly if the Longhorns have already dropped a game against Ohio State or Tennessee.
The sneakiest danger may arrive Nov. 7 at No. 25 Missouri.
That's the classic look-ahead spot.
Texas travels to Columbia one week before playing LSU in Baton Rouge, with Texas A&M still looming later in November.
Missouri won't have the star power of those opponents, but overlooking the Tigers at Faurot Field could wreck everything Texas has built.
The 2026 schedule features seven preseason-ranked opponents, so perfection isn't the requirement.
Avoiding the wrong losses is.
Texas can survive getting punched by another heavyweight. What it probably can't survive is another Florida-style upset.
Tennessee, Oklahoma and Missouri are the games where the Longhorns have to take care of business.
