The best cure for the dog days of summer is to look ahead at the upcoming football season. And, luckily for all of us viewers, the state of Texas is home to plenty of exciting non-conference matchups in the early part of the season. Week 2 alone is loaded with four must-see games, including Texas’ trip to Alabama. 

1. Texas at Alabama (Week 2) 

A rematch of a one-point loss for the Longhorns in 2022 and a preview of the upcoming SEC gauntlet awaiting Texas takes place in Week 2 with a trip to Tuscaloosa to face Nick Saban’s Crimson Tide. Alabama is replacing a Heisman Trophy winner and top NFL draft pick at quarterback and a top five pick along the defensive line. Alabama is always loaded, however, and this trip serves as an early indicator of how “back” Texas actually is under Steve Sarkisian. 

2. Texas A&M at Miami (Week 2)

This game was a snooze fest in 2022, and an early indicator that neither team was destined for success. This is a big year for both coaching staffs. Jimbo Fisher hired an offensive coordinator and likely needs at least eight wins (maybe more) to save his job. Questions already face second-year Miami head man Mario Cristobal. Both teams are stocked with elite talent, making it a must-watch game. A win provides a confidence boost for a Texas A&M roster that needs a good start to the season. A loss would start the chorus calling for a change. 

3. Oregon at Texas Tech (Week 2) 

Night games in Lubbock are always fun and the momentum in West Texas is real. A victory over the Ducks puts the Red Raiders firmly into Big 12 title contention. Starting quarterback, Tyler Shough, started his career at Oregon and will want to perform well. This figures to be a battle between two top 25 programs in front of a sold-out Jones AT&T Stadium. 

4. Utah at Baylor (Week 2) 

The Bears hope to rebound from a 6-7 campaign in 2022 and an early season upset of Pac-12 contender Utah would be a great jumpstart. The two programs carry a similar ethos – pound the rock and outlast opponents with toughness. We’ll learn a lot about the new pieces in the trenches for Baylor after the showdown with the Utes. Utah is known to struggle early in the season, so maybe Dave Aranda’s club can catch them at the right time.  

5. Colorado at TCU (Week 1) 

The first time to watch Deion Sanders coach a Power Five program takes place in Fort Worth in possibly the biggest national game during Week 1. The Horned Frogs reached the national championship game in 2022 – the first under DCTF cover subject Sonny Dykes. But TCU must reload at nearly every position with young faces waiting their turn or with a few key transfers. No one added more faces to the program than Colorado. Even the Horned Frogs won’t know what to expect. 

6. UTSA at Houston (Week 1) 

Last year’s contest between these two budding rivals went to triple overtime with the Cougars coming out on top. Houston and UTSA are in new conference this season with the Cougars in the Big 12 and UTSA hoping to carry over its winning ways to the American Athletic Conference. A loss to a G5 team at home would be devastating for Dana Holgorsen’s program. A win on the road against a Power Five team within your own state would be another feather in the cap of UTSA head coach Jeff Traylor. 

7. SMU at TCU (Week 4) 

The Battle for the Iron Skillet is rarely dull, and SMU feels ready to compete with the Horned Frogs thanks to an improved roster. The Mustangs retooled a defense that struggled mightily in 2022. Quarterback Preston Stone, who signed when Dykes was the head coach at SMU, is poised to take over the reins for SMU. TCU plays a Big 12 contest against Houston the week before, so this might be a case of good timing for the Mustangs. Dykes is on a three-game winning streak in the rivalry, including two wins at SMU. 

8. Texas State at UTSA (Week 2)

The Battle of I-35 adds more flavor to a colorful rivalry with head coach G.J. Kinne taking over the Bobcats. Kinne famously transferred to Gilmer in high school to play for now UTSA head coach Jeff Traylor. The two remain close and coaching against each other only adds to the drama. These two rivals last played in 2020 with the Roadrunners squeaking by with a win. The two programs have gone on two completely different trajectories since that contest. A win for Texas State would jumpstart the rebuild in San Marcos. 

9. Cal at North Texas (Week 1) 

The Eric Morris era begins with a winnable home game against a P5 opponent when Cal comes to Denton, America. The Mean Green must capitalize on a welcoming first-half of the schedule because the back end of the season could get difficult. The more wins North Texas can rack up before mid-October, the easier the path is to bowl eligibility. 

10. Incarnate Word at UTEP (Week 1) 

Take away Sam Houston and the most accomplished FCS program in Texas over the last few years is UIW. The Cardinals beat Texas State in San Marcos two years ago and drubbed Nevada in similar fashion last season. UIW marched all the way to the FCS semifinals in 2022. A new-look roster and coaching staff begins their tenure in El Paso against a Miners team that starts the season in Week 0 on the road against Jax State. This could be a trap game for the Miners.