The Longhorns are used to playing teams from the Long Star State. Texas’ helmets have a sticker shaped like the state to track wins over in-state opponents. But the number of in-state opponents is getting heavily trimmed.
To put it in perspective, the Texas Longhorns played five teams from Texas last season, four from Texas in 2022, and four from Texas in 2021. This season, the Longhorns only play two teams from the state of Texas. Yes, Texas re-ignites its rivalry with Texas A&M but no longer plays three key in-state rivals this season. Let’s first look at who Texas has played these past three seasons before we look at who the Longhorns will be playing from the state of Texas this season.
2021
Defeated Rice by a final score of 58-0.
Beat Texas Tech 70-35.
Defeated TCU on the road by a score of 32-27.
Lost to Baylor on the road by a final score of 31-24.
The Longhorns went 3-1 against in-state opponents that season.
2022
Defeated UTSA at home by a score of 41-20.
Lost at Texas Tech in overtime on the road by a score of 37-34.
Longhorns were defeated by No. 4 ranked TCU at home by a final score of 17-10.
Won against Baylor at home by a score of 38-27.
Texas went 2-2 for that season as they lost two close games to in-state rivals
2023
Texas won their season opener against Rice by a final score of 37-10.
Won easily on the road against Baylor by a score of 38-6.
The Longhorns went on the road and defeated Houston by a final score of 31-24.
Texas got revenge on the Horned Frogs and defeated TCU by a score of 29-26 for a road victory that would eventually propel them into the college football playoffs.
The Longhorns dominated Texas Tech defeating the Red Raiders by a score of 57-7.
Last season is a perfect example of why not playing in-state schools will be missed. Not only did Texas go undefeated, 5-0, but they defeated those in-state schools, and Longhorn fans enjoyed those wins a little more than some other victories against out-of-state opponents, with the exception of their road victory at Alabama.
Over the course of several decades, Texas has played three in-state teams from the Big 12 conference. All three have been the Longhorns’ historically significant adversaries and rivals, and they have formed some of the most intense and passionate rivalries in the history of sports in the state of Texas.
Texas going to the SEC and Baylor, TCU, and Texas Tech remaining in the Big 12 will mean that the Longhorns will not play their historical in-state rivals in the future.
Here are some reasons why Longhorns fans will miss playing four or more in-state opponents during the football season annually.
Loss of Tradition: These rivalries are deeply ingrained in the culture of football in the state of Texas. It could potentially be a significant disruption to a long-standing tradition that has played a significant role in shaping the identity of the state as a football powerhouse if the Longhorns do not schedule in-state rivals in years to come.
Recruiting Impact: The allure of playing in these high-profile in-state rivalries would be a significant factor in attracting top-tier recruits to Texas, which could have a significant impact on recruiting. In the absence of them, the Longhorns’ efforts to recruit new players might be met with difficulties. For example, hosting in-state recruits when playing Baylor, TCU, or Texas Tech at home will no longer be a possibility in the near future.
Alignment Adjustments Made to the Conference: Now that Texas has withdrawn from the Big 12 Conference and is now a member of the SEC, and, unlike last season, no longer plays TCU, Baylor, Houston, or Texas Tech at the present time with no plans of scheduling any of them in the future, Longhorn fans may deeply miss those in-state annual games on the football field.
The best part of Texas going to the SEC was them now playing Texas A&M again annually on the football field. The Longhorns and the Aggies playing on the last scheduled game of the regular season will be a sight to see again. However, unlike last season, where Texas played four in-state schools in Big 12 play, the Longhorns will only play one school in 2024 in SEC play.
Financially speaking, the Big 12 needed the Longhorns more than Texas needed the Big 12. You can make a strong argument as well that the Longhorns didn’t need to play the four in-state Big 12 schools as much as they needed to play them. However, in-state rivals in the state of Texas, where football is the king sport of the state, mean that these football games amongst these in-state rivals will be more missed than many fans think.
At first, these rivalries won’t be missed, as the exhilaration of the Longhorns and Aggie rivalry will be felt and the four Big 12 state of Texas schools will have the opportunity to continue to play one another in conference play year in and year out. But, over time, the people living in the state of Texas who love college football will yearn for the days of seeing their schools go against each other annually on the football field because, as the SEC motto goes, “football just means more,” especially in the state of Texas.