Both the Big 12 and SEC announced their plans for the 2020 college football season. Unfortunately, it will mean the cancelation of the much anticipated Texas-LSU matchup in Baton Rouge.
The Big 12 announced they will be going to a 9+1 model, allowing one nonconference matchup for each school. However, the nonconference game must be a home game, ruling out the possibility of Texas traveling to LSU.
Even if the Longhorns were allowed to go on the road, the SEC is not allowing nonconference games. The reigning national champions will be playing a 10 game, conference only schedule this season.
According to Brian Davis of the Austin American-Statesman, athletic director Chris Del Conte said the Texas-LSU matchup will “definitely” be made up some time in the future.
South Florida was expecting a $1.9 million payday for playing Texas, according to the game contract. Texas AD Chris Del Conte told me the LSU game will "definitely" be made up, although it could be years from now.
— Brian Davis (@BDavisAAS) August 4, 2020
Right now, Texas’ nonconference schedule is booked full until 2027. The Longhorns have future matchups with Arkansas, Alabama, Michigan, and Ohio State. Even in 2027, Texas will be playing the Wolverines and would be doubling up with Power 5 opponents.
It will be until 2034 until Texas has zero nonconference games scheduled.
If the two were to meet in 2027, LSU would be playing both Texas and Oklahoma. The Tigers are scheduled to travel to Norman that year, the first year of a home and home series. Ed Orgeron’s team has a nonconference game scheduled every year until 2033.
Nearly a decade may go in between the two matchups but Texas and LSU will find a way to meet in Baton Rouge. If the second game was going to be anything like the first, another instant classic would have been instore.
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