Texas' schedule is 'still pretty stacked' in 2024, despite criticisms

The 2024 SEC schedule is a bit more clear now, though the league has yet to announce the dates of matchups. Suffice it to say, analysis of the schedules was immediate and vigorous, and Texas‘ schedule drew some early scrutiny from many fans and analysts.

Texas avoids Alabama, Auburn and LSU among the traditional SEC West powers, while it also avoids Tennessee as an emerging threat in the SEC East.

“There was a lot of people that I saw talking about, ‘Well Texas got off easy with the schedule and Oklahoma‘s is much tougher,'” On3’s JD PicKell said. “Right now that might be how it looks, but Texas, if they are to make the College Football Playoff in 2024 they will have to go through Michigan, they will have to play a Georgia.

“I promise you the deck is still pretty stacked if you’re a Texas fan, as well.”

PicKell defended Texas schedule overall, while looking primarily at the SEC slate.

“For Texas, let’s take a look at what they drew for the 2024 slate,” he said. “They’ve got Florida at home, they got Georgia at home, they got Kentucky and Mississippi State all at home. Arkansas, Texas A&M, Vandy on the road, and then obviously Oklahoma will be a neutral-site game.”

Getting two of the traditional SEC East powers at home will certainly be beneficial to Texas. And even the road games for Texas on the 2024 SEC schedule are pretty manageable.

Even if the schedule isn’t overly brutal for the Longhorns, it definitely includes some contests that will be must-see.

On3’s Jesse Simonton ranked the Top 10 matchups on the 2024 SEC schedule and included Texas in four of them. That’s a pretty solid smattering of quality games.

Texas’ reunion with Texas A&M at Kyle Field topped the list, while Georgia traveling to Texas ranked at No. 3. Texas at Arkansas was ranked at No. 8 and Florida at Texas was ranked No. 10.

Wrote Simonton of the rekindling of the Texas-Texas A&M rivalry:

“The two in-state rivals haven’t played in 13 years, but they’ve met 118 times previously, and after an awkward will they or won’t they pas de deux in recent times, the Lone Star Showdown is back. This is a win for all college football fans, especially the Aggies’ faithful who get to welcome the Longhorns to the SEC.”

In any case, it’ll be interesting to see where each of these games on the 2024 SEC schedule falls when the league announces dates.