Texas has one of the toughest schedules in the country for the 2021 college football season according to ESPN’s FPI.
First-year head coach Steve Sarkisian and his newly built staff won’t have the leisure of kicking off the season with a lower quality opponent. There will be minimal room for error, which could be quite concerning considering an inexperienced quarterback will be under center.
The Longhorns will be tested right off the bat with No. 23 Louisiana coming to town, followed by a road trip to face a rising Arkansas squad. In regards to college football as a whole, there are several massive nonconference games that will likely shake up the rankings in Week 1.
Aside from the major matchups such as Clemson vs. Georgia that will take place the first week of the season, 247Sports listed 10 nonconference games that are seemingly being overlooked. Texas had two games mentioned.
No. 23 Louisiana at No. 21 Texas, Sept. 4
Every time the Texas Longhorns take the field, it becomes a big game. The Steve Sarkisian era gets off to a huge start with two ranked teams clashing on the field to open up a new regime in Austin. Most fans are likely looking ahead to the Longhorns’ road game against Arkansas, as that is a game with an SEC opponent. But with what Louisiana did last year and now earning a top-25 ranking, this game becomes huge for Texas. The Longhorns can really make a splash to start the season. – Riley Gates
No. 21 Texas at Arkansas, Sept. 11
A former Southwest Conference rivalry is set to take place in Arkansas this year, which makes this a big game already, just based on the names of the teams that will be on the field. Many are likely looking past this because Arkansas is still struggling as a program to get back on top, but Sam Pittman appears to have things on the rise. Meanwhile, Steve Sarkisian is beginning his tenure at Texas and this will just be the second game. This is a more enticing game than some might imagine it to be. – Riley Gates