The 8 best rivalry games in Texas college football in 2019

By John Hamilton

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We’re counting down the days until football is back in the state of Texas, and we’re down to eight days. To celebrate, we’re picking eight rivalry games we’ll be sure to watch in 2019. 

UTSA vs. Incarnate Word

This one might fly under the radar, but it’s a big deal in the city of San Antonio. UIW quietly won the Southland and became the best FCS program in the state a year ago. This is the first ever meeting between these two teams. Can we call it a rivalry? Let’s see on Aug. 31. 

SMU vs. UNT

SMU has dominated this rivalry historically, but North Texas found a way to turn the tables on the Mustangs last year. Mason Fine diced SMU apart in Sonny Dykes’ first regular season game, and it helped set the table for UNT to win nine games and beat Arkansas. This game will once again set the table for the rest of the year, no matter which team wins.

Sam Houston State vs. Stephen F. Austin

Both Sam Houston and SFA had terrible seasons by their standards a year ago, but the 2019 game should be much more interesting. New SFA coach Colby Carthel reeled in the FCS’s best recruiting class. Don’t expect K.C. Keeler’s Sam Houston squad to have two bad years in a row. The Piney Woods Battle in Houston will be a huge launching off point for both of these teams. 

Texas vs. Oklahoma

The Longhorns and Sooners played twice last season, and both games were massive. Even though Oklahoma earned a College Football Playoff trip, Texas picked up a huge win over the only rival it plays. Both teams could be in the top 10 when this game comes around in October. It could be one of the most anticipated Red River games in a decade. 

Midwestern State vs. Texas A&M-Commerce

This rivalry isn’t allowed to play normal games. Last season, the game was played over two different days in two different stadiums in two different cities, and came down to a missed field goal. Both teams have to break in a lot of new talent, so things should be even wackier this year.

Mary Hardin-Baylor vs. Hardin-Simmons

There are two Division-III teams that stand far above the rest in this state: UMHB and Hardin-SImmons. Both will enter the 2019 season as top 10 programs, and the game between them will likely decide the conference. HSU hasn’t beaten its hated rival in years; can that change in 2019? 

Baylor vs. TCU

Things have cooled off between these two schools since Matt Rhule got to Baylor, but expect that to change this year. Both programs will be paralyzingly close in the final standings. Whichever team can pull out a win in Fort Worth this November will leave the season feeling fine; the other, not so much. 

UTEP vs. New Mexico State

This rivalry has become somewhat dormant since both programs have struggled on the football field. In its heyday, this rivalry was fierce. Both programs are scratching and clawing to try and rise up the ranks of college football. If UTEP beats the Aggies, it’s officially a successful season.

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