Ranking the Toughest College Football Schedules in 2025

Only nine weekends separate us from the start of college football season, which kicks off for Texas in the FBS ranks during the Week Zero matchup between Sam Houston and Western Kentucky. The other 12 schools in the Lone Star State start their 2025 campaign a week later with headliners such as Texas at Ohio State and Baylor vs. Auburn. 

But who has the toughest schedule in Texas? SEC schools Texas and Texas A&M lead the way because of the weekly grind and one marquee non-conference game each. SMU and the Big 12 programs slot right behind with the G6 at the rear despite some brutal non-conference scheduling like UTEP and Sam Houston traveling to Austin to play the Longhorns for a large sum of money.