USA Today calls Texas-Michigan the biggest non-conference game of 2024

As a new member of the SEC, the Texas Longhorns will play many important conference games this year. The Horns will face old rival No. 16 Oklahoma in October and host No. 1 Georgia. Texas hosts Florida and renews rivalries with Arkansas and Texas A&M in November.

But before the Longhorns even begin their SEC schedule, they must travel to Ann Arbor for a crucial game against Michigan. Texas fans have had the game marked on their calendars for years, and the anticipation has only grown since the Wolverines are the defending national champions and the game is taking place the year Texas joins the SEC.

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

Texas played arguably its biggest non-conference game last year when the Longhorns beat Alabama in Tuscaloosa. Texas carried that momentum into the College Football Playoffs.

Non-conference games may become less important if the playoffs expand to 12 teams. There will definitely be more room to maneuver. But that should also mean that big non-conference games will be more common early in the season.

According to USA Today, the implications of the Texas-Michigan game could be far-reaching.

September 7: Texas Longhorns at Michigan Wolverines

This is the biggest non-conference game of the year. Even if Michigan takes a step back as expectedthe defending national champions could upend the early playoff hunt with a road loss to Texas. The fallout from a Michigan win would affect the perception of the SEC and the Big Ten, which is a big deal since both leagues have multiple teams in the race for a playoff spot. While the loser would by no means be eliminated from the race, the winner would have a key tiebreaker to present to the selection committee in early December.

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

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

31.August: Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Texas A&M Aggies

1 September: USC Trojans vs. LSU Tigers (in Las Vegas)

7 September: Texas Longhorns at Michigan Wolverines

7 September: Tennessee Volunteers at NC State Wolfpack

14 September: Alabama Crimson Tide at Wisconsin Badgers

Contact/Follow us @LonghornsWire on Twitter and like our page on on facebook. to follow ongoing coverage of news, notes and opinions from Texas. You can also follow Trey Luerssen on Twitter @TreyLuerssen.