The Big 12 conference released the 2013 football schedules on Tuesday, available here.
Here's a look at the schedule for 2013:
2013 TEXAS FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
(Home games in bold caps; all times TBA)
AUG. 31: NEW MEXICO STATE
Sept. 7: at BYU
SEPT. 14: MISSISSIPPI
SEPT. 21: KANSAS STATE*
Oct. 3 or 5: at Iowa State*
Oct. 12: vs. Oklahoma* (Dallas)
Oct. 26: at TCU*
NOV. 2: KANSAS*
Nov. 9: at West Virginia*
NOV. 16: OKLAHOMA STATE*
NOV. 28: TEXAS TECH*
Dec. 7: at Baylor*
*Big 12 Conference game
A few observations:
-- It appears that the Iowa State game could end up on a Thursday night, which would at least keep it from being played in the 11 am timeslot.
-- The Kansas game is once again the most likely to be broadcast on the Longhorn Network. New Mexico State certainly will be as well in all likelihood, but what about Ole Miss? The odds are high that the LHN will televise it, as the plan appears to be to televise the two non-conference home games Texas has every year.
-- There's no daunting three-game gauntlet next season in a league that will see teams like Kansas State, Oklahoma, Texas Tech, and Baylor replace their starting quarterbacks from 2012.
-- Texas doesn't play a home game between September 21st and November 2nd. Enjoy those tailgates early in the year.
-- Confirmation that Texas Tech will be the Thanksgiving opponent next season.
-- The Oklahoma State game will happen on the same weekend that the F1 US Grand Prix is currently scheduled, which athletic director DeLoss Dodds is not particularly keen on happening. Maybe that was the accommodation that had to be made because Texas wants to play at home every Thanksgiving. Those planning to book hotels in Austin that week should probably do so early.
-- Getting Kansas State early in the season could be a major advantage for Texas with the Wildcats trying to replace Collin Klein.
-- The game against Baylor to close the season will also be the last in Floyd Casey for the Bears.
-- All in all, this looks like a schedule that Texas can handle with some growth at linebacker and overall improvement from the defense, as the offense returns almost every single major piece that has made it one of the most explosive offenses in the country. Right now, the toughest games look like Oklahoma, at West Virginia, and Oklahoma State at home. Anyone feeling better about another shot at Pasadena after looking at this?