The 2024 college football season marked a historic turning point for the Texas Longhorns as they officially joined the Southeastern Conference (SEC). Navigating this new conference slate required fans to tune into new television networks, adjust to unfamiliar kickoff windows, and track conference broadcast rights under the expanded SEC-ESPN partnership. Whether you're tracking past matchups or reviewing how the historic inaugural SEC season unfolded on television, having a clear breakdown of dates, channels, and viewing options is essential.
Texas kicked off their landmark 2024 campaign on August 31 against Colorado State and advanced deep into the postseason under head coach Steve Sarkisian. Because broadcast networks for SEC games are frequently determined via 12-day or six-day selection windows by television partners, fans often had to monitor shifting time slots on ABC, ESPN, SEC Network, and ESPN+. Below is the complete guide to the 2024 Texas Longhorns football schedule, television channel designations, and streaming options for every game.
Full 2024 Texas Longhorns Football Schedule and TV Channels
The 2024 schedule featured marquee non-conference tests against traditional powerhouses alongside a grueling inaugural SEC lineup. All dates and television assignments reflect the official game broadcasts.
- August 31: Colorado State Rams (Home) — 2:30 p.m. ET / 1:30 p.m. CT on ESPN
- September 7: at Michigan Wolverines (Away) — 12:00 p.m. ET / 11:00 a.m. CT on FOX
- September 14: UTSA Roadrunners (Home) — 7:00 p.m. ET / 6:00 p.m. CT on ESPN
- September 21: ULM Warhawks (Home) — 8:00 p.m. ET / 7:00 p.m. CT on ESPN+ / SEC Network+
- September 28: Mississippi State Bulldogs (Home) — 4:15 p.m. ET / 3:15 p.m. CT on SEC Network
- October 12: vs. Oklahoma Sooners (Neutral / Cotton Bowl, Dallas) — 3:30 p.m. ET / 2:30 p.m. CT on ABC
- October 19: Georgia Bulldogs (Home) — 7:30 p.m. ET / 6:30 p.m. CT on ABC
- October 26: at Vanderbilt Commodores (Away) — 4:15 p.m. ET / 3:15 p.m. CT on SEC Network
- November 9: Florida Gators (Home) — 12:00 p.m. ET / 11:00 a.m. CT on ABC
- November 16: at Arkansas Razorbacks (Away) — 12:00 p.m. ET / 11:00 a.m. CT on ABC
- November 23: Kentucky Wildcats (Home) — 3:30 p.m. ET / 2:30 p.m. CT on ESPN
- November 30: at Texas A&M Aggies (Away) — 7:30 p.m. ET / 6:30 p.m. CT on ABC
- December 7: vs. Georgia Bulldogs (SEC Championship Game, Atlanta) — 4:00 p.m. ET / 3:00 p.m. CT on ABC
- December 21: Clemson Tigers (CFP First Round, Home) — 4:00 p.m. ET / 3:00 p.m. CT on TNT
How the SEC TV Rights Shifted Viewing Options in 2024
Moving to the Southeastern Conference changed how viewers accessed Longhorns games. Under the landmark multi-year agreement between the SEC and The Walt Disney Company, ESPN and ABC became the exclusive television home for tier-one SEC football games. To see the bigger picture, check out the excellent report by The New York Times.
This transition meant that traditional afternoon and prime-time broadcast slots frequently landed on ABC, replacing older CBS broadcast traditions. Furthermore, regional conference matchups and tier-two games streamed directly on the SEC Network or digital-exclusive platforms like ESPN+. Understanding these network tiers helped fans avoid missing kickoffs when games were flexed into specific television windows 12 days prior to kickoff.
Streaming Every Game Without Cable
Fans cutting the cord had several reliable pathways to stream the 2024 Texas Longhorns schedule live without a traditional cable box.
- Live TV Streaming Services: Platforms like YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, and FuboTV carried ABC, ESPN, and SEC Network. These services included cloud DVR capabilities, making them popular for fans who couldn't watch live afternoon kickoffs.
- ESPN App and ESPN+: Games broadcast on ABC or ESPN networks could be authenticated using a TV provider login on the ESPN app. Dedicated digital broadcasts like the ULM matchup required an active ESPN+ subscription.
- SEC Network+: Accessible via the ESPN app at no extra cost for subscribers who received SEC Network through a participating pay-TV or live-TV streaming provider.
Common Mistakes When Tracking College Football TV Schedules
Navigating major college football TV schedules can lead to confusion if you don't account for specific scheduling nuances.
- Assuming kick times are set months in advance: Networks utilize 12-day and 6-day selection windows during the season. Checking preliminary schedules too early often results in seeing "TBA" placeholders for times and channels.
- Confusing streaming platforms with linear networks: Exclusive digital games on SEC Network+ or ESPN+ require an internet streaming device and cannot be accessed via standard cable channel numbers alone.
- Ignoring time zone conversions: Game times reported by national media are frequently listed in Eastern Time (ET), causing confusion for fans in Central Time (CT) tracking local kickoff windows in Austin.
Frequently Asked Questions
What television network broadcasted Texas Longhorns games in 2024?
The majority of Texas games aired across ABC, ESPN, and the SEC Network as part of the conference-wide broadcast agreement with Disney. Non-conference away games, such as the matchup against Michigan, fell under separate conference contracts and aired on networks like FOX.
How were game times and TV channels selected for SEC games?
The SEC follows a flex-scheduling model. While marquee games are sometimes slotted months ahead, most game times and specific television network designations are finalized either 12 days or 6 days prior to the date of the game.
Where can I find official athletic updates for the Texas Longhorns?
You can check official rosters, press releases, and historical data directly on the University of Texas Athletics website or review governing body updates via the NCAA.
Did Texas make the College Football Playoff in 2024?
Yes. Following a successful regular season and an appearance in the SEC Championship Game, the Longhorns qualified for the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff, hosting a first-round matchup against Clemson at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium.
