Texas has made it a priority to strengthen their nonconference schedule.
Although it won’t happen overnight, the Longhorns are well on their way to securing top competition on their future schedule. Texas will face Alabama, Michigan and Ohio State over the next few years.
It’s no secret that if you want to be the best, you have to beat the best. USA TODAY Sports recently ranked the nonconference schedules of the 64 teams in the Power Five conferences in regards to the 2020 season.
Texas landed at the No. 11 spot just behind Michigan State. West Virginia was the only Big 12 program ranked ahead of the Longhorns. However, Texas is listed higher than well-respected programs such as Georgia, Ohio State and Alabama.
The three nonconference games in question for Texas this season is South Florida, LSU and Texas-El Paso. Playing the defending national champions on their home turf is enough of a reason to put them high on this particular list, but South Florida isn’t a bad opponent either.
Texas has the talent to sweep this trio of games, but they must find a way to be consistent. If head coach Tom Herman’s new coaching staff works out, the Longhorns could be legitimate contenders over the next few seasons.
Take a look at the top 25 below.
25) Arkansas
24) Virginia
23) Penn State
22) Purdue
21) Alabama
20) Michigan
19) Oklahoma
18) Washington
17) Pittsburgh
16) Ohio State
15) Colorado
14) Wake Forest
13) Georgia
12) North Carolina
11) Texas
10) Michigan State
9) West Virginia
8) Clemson
7) Oregon
6) Louisville
5) Stanford
4) Wisconsin
3) Florida State
2) Georgia Tech
1) Southern California