Ranking Texas Football Road Trips in 2025

It’s no secret the Texas Longhorns home football schedule leaves a lot to be desired in 2025. Until the reunion with Texas A&M in Austin on Black Friday, get used to a whole lot of cupcakes in the heat for Arch Manning’s first year at the helm. That said, the Longhorns have some interesting road games in the fall. Let’s rank the desirability of each destination.

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THE “NOPE” TIER

At Mississippi State (10/25)

I got a good dose of Bulldog fans in Omaha at the 2021 College World Series, in which Mississippi State took two out of three games against Texas to win their first national championship. Those losses still hurt. Here’s what I wrote about the cowbell-ringing crazies last summer: “They’re like Texas Tech fans when they’re not over at your house setting your couch on fire—generally a good time. Just don’t get them drinking and let them start talking about Texas or Ole Miss.”

I have to say I don’t have a strong desire to go to the middle of Mississippi to see StarkVegas. Jeff Lebby’s Bulldogs gave the Longhorns a tough test for three quarters last September, but then lost a lot in the transfer portal in Manning’s first SEC start. Without Michael Van Buren, the game itself won’t be very intriguing, but the bells will still be ringing.

Pass.

At Ohio State (8/30)

It might be the most intriguing game on Texas’ schedule, but that doesn’t translate to road trip value.

The Longhorns’ first trip to Columbus since their legendary win in 2005 will almost assuredly be played at 11 AM on Fox. I know quite a few Texas fans who made the trip 20 years ago to see Vince Young and Limas Sweed’s legendary win inside The Horseshoe, but none of them have plans to return in August.

However, the early start time might make the Buckeyes faithful a little less riled up than they were on that September evening two decades ago. And the fact they just knocked Texas out of the playoffs before winning their own national championship.

What’s more, the novelty of seeing these two legendary helmets take the field against one another is also wearing off. But maybe most importantly to the jet setting Longhorn, there’s no worse food on Earth than the flavorless offerings of Midwest menus. I used to work for a company based in the Midwest and I was blown away by how they could screw up unsweet iced tea.

THE “SOMEDAY” TIER

At Florida (10/4)

The trip to The Swamp falls on Texas’ calendar just one week prior to the Red River Rivalry, making it logistically challenging to pull off. Though I do want to see a game there at some point because of its stature in college football. This could be a game where Texas is on upset watch, as quarterback DJ Lagway has “hero ball” ability.

Some Longhorns fans might be intrigued by flying into Orlando and doing the theme parks, etc., on Friday before making the short drive to Gainesville, but that’s not for me.

I’ll get to The Swamp at some point, but this probably won’t be the year.

THE “HELL YEAH” TIER

At Georgia (11/15)

Georgia fans invaded Austin in droves last October and left barking. Woof.

I’ve always wanted to see Athens and I’ve even heard it compared to the Austin of my youth. Though I do remember the early 1990s Austin having something called a hotel, which are nonexistent in Athens.

The Bulldog Autobahn is also legendary and something I’d like to speed down with the Georgia players.

More than anything, I’d like to go to this game in mid-November to see Steve Sarkisian’s team take much-needed revenge on Kirby Smart’s program. Let’s go watch Colin Simmons take on Gunner Stockton again and hear those dogs whimper.

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THE “I’LL BE IN KENTUCKY, WILL I MAKE IT INTO THE STADIUM?” TIER

At Kentucky (10/18)

It should be beautiful weather in the Bluegrass State in mid-October and Kentucky might be the worst team in the SEC, making a ticket to Kroger Field quite affordable. The trip to Lexington will be tempting for many Texas fans because of things like the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. But beware, Longhorns, you still have to make it to Saturday.

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How do you rank them Horns fans?