Texas at Michigan named biggest non-conference game of the year by USA Today

Jan 1, 2005; Pasadena, CA, USA: FILE PHOTO; Michigan Wolverines wide receiver Jermaine Gonzales (18) in action against Texas Longhorns cornerback Tarell Brown (5) during the 2005 Rose Bowl at the Rose Bowl. The Longhorns defeated the Wolverines 38-37. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Network

As a new member of the SEC, the Texas Longhorns will have a lot of big conference games this year. The Horns will take on old rival No. 16 Oklahoma and host No. 1 Georgia in October. Texas will host Florida and renew rivalries with Arkansas and Texas A&M in November. 

But before the Longhorns even start their SEC schedule, they must first travel to Ann Arbor for a huge matchup vs. Michigan. Texas fans have had the game circled on the calendar for years. The anticipation has only increased with the Wolverines as defending national champion and the game coinciding with the year Texas joins the SEC. 

Now, in a new list of the Top 10 best non-conference games of the year, USA Today has declared Texas at Michigan the biggest of the year. 

Texas played in arguably the biggest non-conference game last year, when the Longhorns beat Alabama in Tuscaloosa. Texas carried that momentum all the way to the college football playoff. 

Non-conference games might lose a little impact with the playoff expanding to 12 teams. There will definitely be more wiggle room. But that also should make big, early season non-conference games more prevalent. 

USA Today says the impact of the Texas-Michigan game could be far reaching. 

September 7: Texas Longhorns at Michigan Wolverines

Six of the Top 10 non-conference games involve SEC teams:

August 31: Clemson Tigers vs. Georgia Bulldogs (in Atlanta)

August 31: Notre…


Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/texas-michigan-named-biggest-non-154338580.html

Author : Longhorns Wire

Publish date : 2024-08-15 15:43:38

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