Big 12 announces the 2018 Texas football schedule

While the Texas Longhorns won’t have to face the top two quarterbacks in the Big 12 again in 2018, the ‘Horns will face another difficult schedule that includes a defining stretch early in the season.

After once again opening the season on the road against a Maryland team that should continue to improve under head coach DJ Durkin, Texas will play the season’s first home game against Tulsa in the second week of the season.

Then the big non-conference opponent — the Trojans come to Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on September for a rematch of this season’s double-overtime thriller in Los Angeles.

That game will start what could become the defining stretch of the season, with the Big 12 home opener against TCU, a road trip to Manhattan to face Kansas State, and the annual grudge match in the Cotton Bowl against Oklahoma all looming in less than a month’s time.

By the afternoon of October 6, it will be apparent whether the Longhorns are a contender or a pretender.

The ‘Horns will receive the season’s only bye week after hosting the Bears in Austin, which should allow the team to regain some health at a critical time.

With Thanksgiving coming relatively early next year — on the 22nd of November — the Texas season will come to a close on the 23rd with the classic rivalry game between the ‘Horns and Jayhawks. Hopefully Kansas won’t have a winning streak in that series when the game kicks off.

2018 Texas Football Schedule

Sept. 1 – at Maryland

Sept. 8 – TULSA

Sept. 15 – USC

Sept. 22 – TCU*

Sept. 29 – at Kansas State*

Oct. 6 – vs. Oklahoma* (Dallas)

Oct. 13 – BAYLOR*

Oct. 27 – at Oklahoma State*

Nov. 3 – WEST VIRGINIA*

Nov. 10 – at Texas Tech*

Nov. 17 – IOWA STATE*

Nov. 23 – at Kansas*

*Big 12 Conference game