Three SEC teams the Texas Longhorns are happy not to play in 2024

The Texas Longhorns are heading into the most competitive conference for college football in 2024 as they prepare for the challenge of the SEC.

Texas also has to travel to Ann Arbor in nonconference play to face the defending National Champions Michigan Wolverines.

Despite the Horns’ difficult road schedule and challenging visitors, like the Georgia Bulldogs who are undefeated in the last three regular seasons, there are a few brief reprieves in Texas’ season.

So, which conference opponents should Texas be grateful that they don’t have to face in the team’s first season as a part of the SEC?

While the non-conference rivalry between the Horns and the Crimson Tide has become infamous in many ways, Texas should gladly take a break from facing Alabama on the road or at home.

In 2022, Alabama came to Austin and stomped past the Horns, taking down quarterback Quinn Ewers along the way.

However, in 2023, Texas traveled to Tuscaloosa and shocked the Tide at home, defeating Nick Saban in his last season with Alabama.

Eliah Drinkwitz and the Missouri Tigers did shockingly well in 2023, there’s no other way to look at it.

The Tigers finished second in the SEC East with an 11-2 overall record, only losing to No. 23 LSU and No. 1 Georgia in the regular season.

While Texas defeated Missouri 33-16 in the programs’ last matchup in 2017, the Horns will happily pass on facing Drinkwaitz and the Tigers in 2024.

Similarly to Missouri, Lane Kiffin has brought the Ole Miss Rebels roaring into power against their SEC opponents.

Led by quarterback Jaxson Dart, the Rebels are expected to improve upon their 11-2 performance from 2023, when they tied for second in the SEC East with Missouri.

Dart has been named alongside Ewers as a favorite for the Heisman Trophy winner in 2024 but the Horns should be grateful that they don’t have to face Ole Miss with him at the reigns.

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