Here is Texas’s No. 3 rival in football
TCU Horned Frogs
The main reason they are one of the Longhorn’s top rivals: The reason that TCU is ranked so high is the simple fact that Texas leaving the Big 12 for the SEC is somewhat of a relief for the Longhorns that they do not have to play their in-state rivals in the foreseeable feature. In other words, TCU forced Texas to make this a top rivalry due to the Horned Frogs challenging them year after year and making this a difficult game to win in recent years in comparison to the other main rivals of Texas. A big part of a rivalry is that it is not one-sided over the length of the rivalry and TCU has given the Longhorns everything that they can handle over the last 12 times they have played one another.
Texas fans are more than likely not to admit and or acknowledge that TCU is a top-three rival of theirs for multiple reasons. One is that they would have to recognize to the opposing fanbases that the Horned Frogs have fairly dominated this series since 2014. Second, proximity to other rivals, TCU in comparison is closer in distance to Texas than many other rivals, and the likelihood of crossing paths with a TCU fan and having to acknowledge this rivalry is not on the top to-do list for many Longhorn fans. Finally, there is a disconnect between the older generation of Texas fans who were used to in the ’70s, ’80s, and even the ’90s of the Longhorns not having much difficulty defeating TCU in comparison to the younger generation of Texas fans and alums who have come to the realization that playing the Horned Frogs is not ideal for the Longhorns on the football field in terms of winning more game then losing.
A true rival is not a true rival in athletics until they force a team and or individual to recognize that when you play them and or compete with them on the football field in this instance, there is a good chance that you and or your team will not win. TCU essentially forced Texas fans to admit that they are a true rival because the Horned Frogs earned that respect by defeating the Longhorns more often than not this past decade on the football field.
History between these two football programs: Now, as mentioned earlier, this rivalry has been more one-sided than even between TCU and Texas but in fairness, the Longhorns have the distinct advantage in overall wins against all of their top rivals in football. The Longhorns dominated this rivalry early that began in 1897 as Texas won the first 12 games and held the Horned Frogs to a total of 26 points throughout those games. However, in 1927, both schools tied one another on the football field as neither team failed to score one point.
From 1929 to 1949 during those 20 years, TCU was more competitive with the Longhorns winning 12 games during that time and temporarily having the edge in this rivalry. At one point, the Horned Frogs won five out of six games from 55 to 61 but then Texas almost completely dominated this series.
From 1968 to 2007, TCU only defeated Texas once during that time. When TCU and Texas renewed their rivalry in 2012 after a four-year hiatus, the Horned Frogs took full control of the rivalry. From 2014 to 2017, TCU not only defeated the Longhorns, but they also won by an average of 30 points during that time. Then from 2018 to 2023, both schools won three games each and the last four games that the Longhorns and Horned Frogs have played each other have been decided by a touchdown or less.
Longhorns fans from the age of 30 and up may disagree with the Horned Frogs being ranked this high due to the Longhorns dominating this rivalry for much of their lives but those Texas fans under the age of 30 if answering honestly, should recognize this rivalry with the Horned Frogs due to what has happened in the 21st century in comparison to what occurred during the 20th century in this rivalry.
Distance between these two higher institutions of higher learning: 188 miles separate these two schools in the state of Texas as TCU is northeast of Austin.
Most memorable game in this rivalry: In 1984, No. 10 ranked Texas went on the road to take on No. 12 ranked TCU. The game was not that close as the Longhorns defeated the Horned Frogs by a score of 44-23. Arguably the most memorable game was the game not long ago in 2022, when TCU ranked No. 4 went on the road and defeated the No. 18 ranked Longhorns in a defensive struggle to win by a final score of 17-10. The victory allowed the Horned Frogs to continue their path to the playoffs where they would advance to the national championship game.
In the last game, they played one another, and their next scheduled game: The last game Texas and TCU played was a classic as the Longhorns on the road got revenge from the season before and defeated the Horned Frogs by only three points as it would help Texas advance eventually to the College Football Playoffs last season. Unfortunately, like with Texas Tech, the Longhorns with their move to the SEC do not have any scheduled games with TCU in the future.