Texas Football: Ranking the 12 games on the 2021 schedule by toughest matchups

Each game during the season should be respected and holds equal importance, but not every game is as tough as the others.

For how much pressure there is on Texas to have a successful season, it will not be a cakewalk by any means.

The Longhorns are in the midst of a new era, with head coach Steve Sarkisian taking over after a stellar career as Alabama’s offensive coordinator. He is tasked with taking on what 247Sports ranked as the No. 9 toughest schedule in the nation, and is responsible for deciding who will take over as the Texas’ next quarterback. Hudson Card and Casey Thompson are in the middle of what sounds to be the closest quarterback battle in the nation.

Texas, who will be starting the season ranked as the No. 21 team in the country according to the AP Poll, is looking to make their first Big 12 championship appearance since 2018, and hoping that Sarkisian and Co. can win their first conference title since 2009.

It is a tough task, especially with Oklahoma in the conference. The Sooners are looking to win their seventh consecutive Big 12 title, and may have their most complete team under Lincoln Riley this season.

Texas has a very talented roster, even with questions surrounding who will start at quarterback, and whether or not the receivers can be consistent playmakers. The Longhorns still arguably have the best running back in the nation, a veteran-led defense, and one of the top defensive coordinators in the nation in Pete Kwiatkowski.

With the season only a little over two weeks away, I’ve ranked the 12 matchups for Texas this season from easiest to toughest. It’s obvious that each game during the season should be respected and holds equal importance, but not every game is as tough as the others.

2021 College Football National Championship futures odds and best bets

Analyzing the odds to win the 2021 college football national championship, with NCAA football betting picks, tips and best bets.

It is only March, but it isn’t too early to think about futures bets for the upcoming college football season. LSU loses QB Joe Burrow and Alabama loses QB Tua Tagovailoa to the NFL draft, so who should be the favorite for 2021? Here, we go over the odds for 2021 college football national championship, with NCAA football betting picks, tips and best bets.

2021 College Football National Championship odds

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Saturday, March 14 at 10 a.m. ET.

  • Clemson +225
  • Ohio State +300
  • Alabama +450
  • LSU +650
  • Georgia +900
  • Florida +1400
  • Notre Dame +2000
  • Oklahoma +2500
  • Oregon +4000
  • Texas A&M +4000
  • Texas +4000
  • USC +4000
  • Penn State +5000
  • Auburn +5000
  • Michigan +5000
  • Wisconsin +5000
  • Washington +5000
  • Iowa +8000

Another 111 teams have odds ranging from +10000 to +500000.

As much as everyone would like to believe their favorite college football team has a chance to win it all, any of the teams with odds of 100/1 or longer should never be considered.

The favorites are the favorites for a reason.

2021 College Football National Championship best bets


Place a legal sports bet on the 2021 College Football National Championship at BetMGM.


Clemson (+225) should be the favorite. The Tigers have made the national championship game each of the last two seasons and four of the last five, having won it all twice. More importantly, they have QB Trevor Lawrence, arguably the best quarterback in college football, returning for his junior season. He has led them to the title game in his first two seasons and won one.

Likewise, you have to count on the SEC to be represented in the title game. At least one SEC team has been in the championship game every year since 2015.

Ohio State (+300) is also a good bet. The Buckeyes made the semifinal last season, narrowly losing to Clemson and the Buckeyes have QB Justin Fields returning as the starter under center.

The favorites are the favorites for a reason. The only teams you should reasonably bet to win are Clemson, Ohio State, Alabama (+450) and LSU (+650).

Picking only two? Go with Clemson and Ohio State.

If there is a long shot, stick with the SEC and go with Florida (+1400). The Gators have a returning starting quarterback, while Georgia (+900) looks to replace QB Jake Fromm.

New to sports betting? A $10 bet on Clemson to win the college football national championship will earn $22.50 in profit if they do.

Get some action on the 2021 College Football National Championship or other sports by placing a bet with BetMGM today. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

[lawrence-newsletter]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1623]