Chris Del Conte discusses potential future matchups with Big 12 foes, importance of in-state matchups

With a move to the SEC comes a new scheduling model for Texas. After facing nine conference opponents in the Big 12, only eight appear on the 2024 schedule. No permanent decision has been made by the SEC with the addition of Texas and Oklahoma, potentially moving to nine games.

This also affects Texas’ nonconference scheduling and who the Longhorns will be able to play in the future.

During athletic director Chris Del Conte‘s Town Hall meeting on Tuesday, somebody inquired about potentially seeing old Big 12 foes on future schedules. However, with the current eight-game SEC model, giving up a game in Austin makes it difficult for Del Conte to agree to home-and-home series.”

“This year, we have four games at home,” Del Conte said. “We play OU in Dallas. And then we have three on the road. The following year, it’s flipped. So now, I’ve got three at home, OU in Dallas, and I’m on the road four times. We need about seven home games a year.”

As Del Conte mentioned, Texas will have seven home games this season due to being the designated away team against Oklahoma. They will go on the road to face Michigan on Sept. 7 for a premier nonconference game. In the same situation next season, Texas would only have six games in Austin.

Moving to a nine-game schedule may give Del Conte more flexibility since four home games are guaranteed through the SEC. Finding the right balance to where Texas can accept home-and-home series with seems to be the key.

“If I had a nine-game schedule, I’d have four at home, four on the road,” Del Conte said. “Then it’s a little easier to look at how your nonconference schedule is. But if we stay at an eight-game schedule, I’m going to need to schedule all of those games at home.

“As much as I love another conference or say they’re an in-state foe, if they want to come play here in Texas, I’m all in. But I’m not sure how we can do a home-and-home until I know how that balances out.”

Chris Del Conte wants to play in-state schools

If the opportunity presents itself, Del Conte seemingly would want to schedule in-state schools. While he did speak on the importance of bringing other national brands to Austin, one of his previous experiences as an athletic director stuck with him.

“I’ve always said I want to play state schools,” Del Conte said. “It’s important for us. One of the things I always admired about Baylor when I was at TCU is that they constantly played Texas Christian U. They’re always playing them. For us to have Houston, TCU, Baylor, Tech… Rice. We have a lot of other schools we can play in the state. We should play those in nonconference games, if our schedule allows.”

TCU played in three different leagues following the collapse of the Southwest Conference in 1995 before joining the Big 12 in 2012. Two home-and-home series were scheduled with Baylor when they were not conference rivals. The Horned Frogs took advantage as well, winning three of the four matchups.

Del Conte could have the opportunity for something similar in the future with other in-state foes, specifically those in the Big 12. How the SEC decides to structure its schedule will carry a lot of weight on the matter.