Ohio State head coach Ryan Day, left, and Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian talk before an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
Jay LaPrete/AP
Despite indications that summer not only isn’t ready to surrender, it’s mounting a counteroffensive, trust me and the Rangers when we tell you that football season is almost here. Not a minute too soon, either.
Try not to be discouraged by what’s happening in college football. By that, of course, I mean the fact that the government is getting involved. I suppose someone had to. I wouldn’t trust the people with the keys to college football to run a lemonade stand.
The good news is the product on the field has never been better. NIL may bankrupt college sports, as a big-time former Big 12 official told me recently, but it’ll be fun while it lasts.
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With that, here are nine college football games yours truly will cover this fall, along with my predictions:
FILE – Ohio State running back CJ Donaldson is stopped by the Texas defense during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Columbus, Ohio., Aug. 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete, File)
Jay LaPrete/AP Photo/Jay LaPrete
Sept. 12, Ohio State at Texas
Still boggles the mind that these two heavyweights have only played five times, and 40% of those were last year. Also instructive that when I looked it up, AI told me the series was “currently tied at 3-2 in favor of Ohio State.” Maybe we shouldn’t worry so much about artificial intelligence after all. Anyway, the good news for Steve Sarkisian is he has just as much NFL talent as Ryan Day. The Longhorns managed to hang around with the Buckeyes in Columbus last year even with Arch Manning proving he wasn’t up to the hype. He is now.
Texas 24, Ohio State 20
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Sept. 18, Houston at Texas Tech
Willie Fritz might be the best coach you never heard of, unless, of course, you went to Houston, Tulane, Georgia Southern, Sam Houston, Central Missouri or Blinn College. At this rate, Fritz, 66, will be head coach at Notre Dame when he’s 98. This game tells us the Red Raiders can repeat as Big 12 champs. If the answer had been no, Cody Campbell would have tried to buy the NCAA and set Brendan Sorsby free.
Texas Tech 31, Houston 17
Texas A&M wide receiver KC Concepcion (7) carries for a touchdown against LSU in the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025 in Baton Rouge, La. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Gerald Herbert/AP
Sept. 26, Texas A&M at LSU
Do you know why A&M played in Baton Rouge every year from 1960-75? Same reason they played at Rice Stadium annually from 1957-67. Money. One of the nation’s biggest revenue producers once made more off gate splits from larger venues on the road than it did in home games. That’s not why they’re playing at Tiger Stadium for the second year in a row. Simply an SEC scheduling quirk. Love Lane Kiffin’s steal of former Arizona State QB Sam Leavitt, but Marcel Reed outduels him. Once more the Aggies survive a walk through the valley of the shadow of death, or something like that.
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Texas quarterback Arch Manning (16) dons the Golden Hat trophy as he celebrates with fans and teammates after a victory over Oklahoma in the Red River Rivalry NCAA college football game at the Cotton Bowl on Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025, in Dallas.
Smiley N. Pool/Staff Photographer
Oct. 10, Texas-Oklahoma
John Mateer apparently had not sufficiently recovered from a thumb injury when he played at the State Fair last year, so his answer is to come back with guns like a linebacker’s.
Unfortunately, he continues to misfire as Texas beats the Sooners for the third time in a row, the first time they’ve done so this century. Gotta tell you, I hate watching Brent Venables cry.
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Oct. 17, TCU at Baylor
This game is one of only four protected rivalries in the 16-team Big 12, which tells you about Brett Yormark’s priorities. Instead of promoting historical rivals, the commissioner would rather hawk his $20 million sponsorship from Monster Energy. Even as a group of doctors and scientists petitioned the Big 12 to pause the deal, citing concerns that “energy drinks are a health risk to children.” Sip that, Brett! Dave Aranda saves his job because his QB transfer came from Florida (DJ Lagway), while Sonny Dykes shopped at Harvard (Jaden Craig).
Oct. 24, Texas A&M at Alabama
Has it really been 14 years since Johnny Manziel pinballed around Bryant-Denny for a 29-24 upset of Nick Saban’s No. 1 Crimson Tide? Biggest Aggie win I’ve ever personally witnessed, though not as fun as watching Sooners sliding around Johnny Football at the Cotton Bowl. Ah, those were the days, kids. Beating the likes of Kalen the Bore isn’t the same, but it builds tension for the big Leftover Day game.
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Nov. 14, Texas at LSU
This makes two trips in as many months to New Orleans, which has more good food per capita than any city in the nation. I mean, Clancy’s and Patois are a block apart in the Garden District. Get the lump crab salad at Clancy’s to go, then walk down the street for the pecan-crusted snapper. You’re welcome. Losing twice in the same season at home to Texas teams makes Kiffin think twice about the food, and he agrees to replace Lincoln Riley at USC, once again foiling Gary Patterson’s succession plans.
FILE – A Notre Dame flag waves in the wind in front of the The Word of Life Mural, aka “Touchdown Jesus,” on the Hesburgh Library before an NCAA college football game between Notre Dame and Northern Illinois, Saturday Sept. 7, 2024, in South Bend, Ind. (AP Photo/Michael Caterina, File)
Michael Caterina/AP
Nov. 21, SMU at Notre Dame
Nearly 50 years in this business, and it’s my first time to see Touchdown Jesus in person. Can’t wait, and I’m not even Catholic. I’d like to tell you that Kevin Jennings wins the matchup with CJ Carr, but, no.
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Texas quarterback Arch Manning (16) celebrated a touchdown against Texas A&M during the second half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Nov. 28, 2025, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Stephen Spillman)
Stephen Spillman/AP
Nov. 27, Texas at Texas A&M
So it comes down to this: No. 1 and undefeated Texas playing No. 3, unbeaten A&M for the national title of Texas. First time since ’75 and just the second time ever that both go into the game in the Top 10. Only this time it’s Texas’ turn. Late in a bloody stalemate, Cam Coleman gets loose for a 73-yard TD. Another great start ends disappointingly for Mike Elko. He gets the last laugh, though, when Texas loses to Ohio State in the national championship game after the Aggies bow to the Buckeyes in the Sugar Bowl semifinals. Call me for recommendations, Mike. I’ve got you.