Baylor Football

2026 Baylor Football Schedule Announced

Baylor football will host six games at McLane Stadium as part of its 2026 schedule, it was announced by the Big 12 Conference on Wednesday morning.
By SicEm365 Staff
January 21, 2026
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WACO, Texas -- Baylor football will host six games at McLane Stadium as part of its 2026 schedule, it was announced by the Big 12 Conference on Wednesday morning. 

The Bears will have six home games as part of its 12-game regular-season schedule, which will open on Sept. 5 with a game vs. Auburn in Atlanta. After an Auburn 38-24 win to open the 2025 season, the series is 2-2-1, with Auburn winning the only neutral-site meeting in the 1954 Gator Bowl. 

Baylor will then host a three-game homestand, its longest homestand since a four-game stretch to open the 2023 season. Baylor will host Prairie View A&M on Sept. 12, the first meeting between the two schools.  

Baylor then wraps up its non-conference, regular-season schedule with Louisiana Tech on Sept. 19 at McLane Stadium. This will be the seventh meeting between the two schools, with Baylor owning a 5-1 mark in the series, and a 3-1 mark in games played in Waco. The last meeting came in 1996 in Shreveport, La., a 24-16 Baylor win. The meeting with LA Tech will be Baylor’s annual Family Weekend. 

The Bears will host Colorado in the Big 12 conference lid-lifter at McLane Stadium on Sept. 26. The Buffs own a 10-7 lead in the all-time series with Baylor, including a 4-2 mark in games played in Waco. Colorado won an overtime thriller over the Bears in 2024 in Boulder, Colo., that saw CU complete a hail mary to tie the game as time expired and then forced a game-winning fumble as Baylor running back Dominic Richardson crossed the goal line with the would-be game-tying TD in the first overtime. 

The first road conference test comes on Oct. 3 at Arizona State. The Sun Devils have claimed both of the previous meetings with the Bears, including a 1990 win in Tempe and a 27-24 win over Baylor in Waco in 2025. 

Following a break for an idle week, the Bears will host TCU on Oct. 17 in the most-played rivalry game in the state of Texas. The Frogs lead the all-time series, 60-54-7, with the Bears owning a 35-34-5 record in games played in Waco. Last year, TCU posted a 42-36 win over Baylor in a game that battled weather delays throughout. Baylor won the last meeting in Waco, 37-34 in 2024 on a walk-off field goal as time expired.

Baylor kicks off a two-game road swing at Kansas on Oct. 24 and at UCF on Oct. 31. The Bears have won 14 straight meetings with Kansas, sporting a 19-4 lead in the series and a 12-0 mark in games played in Waco. Baylor last thumped KU in 2024, a 45-17 win to conclude the regular-season with eight wins. The  Bears lead the series with the Knights, 2-1 with UCF winning the 2013 Fiesta Bowl, 52-42, and Baylor posting a 36-35 win at UCF in the first Big 12 game played in Orlando in 2023, which was the largest comeback win in program history as the Bears rallied from down 35-7. The Bears won the meeting in 2025 in Waco, 27-3.

BU will host Iowa State on Nov. 7, before hitting the road to face BYU on Nov. 14. The Bears lead the all-time series with the Cyclones, 12-10, including a 7-3 mark in games played in Waco. Iowa State snapped a two-game Baylor win streak in the last meeting in 2024, a 43-21 win that saw Baylor’s early second half lead erased. The game will serve as the highlight of Baylor’s Homecoming week. Baylor’s matchup with BYU will be the sixth, with BYU owning a 3-2 lead and having wins in the last two games, including a two-overtime thriller in Provo in 2022.

A contest with Texas Tech on Nov. 21 will conclude the regular-season home schedule at McLane Stadium. The Bears will look to build on a 59-35 rout of the Red Raiders in Lubbock in the last meeting in 2024. The Bears own a 42-40-1 all-time lead in the series and are 20-12 vs. TTU in games played in Waco. 

Baylor wraps up the regular-season schedule on Nov. 28 at Houston. The Coogs posted a 31-24 win over Baylor in Waco in 2025 to conclude the season and cut the BU lead in the series to 15-14-1. In games played in Houston – including the last meeting, a 20-10 BU win – the series is event 7-7. 

The Big 12 Championship game is set for Friday, Dec. 4 in Arlington, Texas. Baylor last won the league crown in 2021 in Arlington. 

2026 Baylor Football Schedule

  • Sept. 5 – vs. Auburn (Atlanta)
  • Sept. 12 – PRAIRIE VIEW A&M
  • Sept. 19 – LOUISIANA TECH [FAMILY WEEKEND]
  • SEPT. 26 – COLORADO *
  • Oct. 3 – at Arizona State *
  • Oct. 17 – TCU *
  • Oct. 24 – at Kansas *
  • Oct. 31 – at UCF *
  • Nov. 7 – IOWA STATE * [HOMECOMING]
  • Nov. 14 – at BYU *
  • Nov. 21 – TEXAS TECH *
  • Nov. 28 – at Houston *
  • Dec. 4 – Big 12 Championship Game (Arlington, Texas)

HOME games in all bold/caps | * = Big 12 Conference

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2026 Baylor Football Schedule Announced

6,605 Views | 16 Replies | Last: 8 days ago by Quinton
Dia del DougO
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10:11a, 1/21/26

Just one bye week, if I'm seeing the calendar correctly?

October 18 seems like a key date.
"The only true currency in this bankrupt world is what you share with someone else when you're uncool."
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william
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10:53a, 1/21/26
Go Bears!!

arbyscoin - the only crypto you can eat....
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Mitch Blood Green
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11:44a, 1/21/26
We're scheduled for the Big 12 Championship game. Nice!
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bear2be2
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11:46a, 1/21/26
The first nine games of this schedule shape up pretty nicely if we're not terrible (a big if, I know). There will be an opportunity to take some momentum into our last few games, which will all be very tough.
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Bearknuckle
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In reply to Dia del DougO • 12:06p, 1/21/26
Dia del DougO said:

Just one bye week, if I'm seeing the calendar correctly?

October 18 seems like a key date.

yeah if we're 3-3 or worse with another loss to TCU then I think Dave gets fired on the 18th.

If we're 4-2 with losses to Auburn and TCU, his seat will be getting very warm because of the backloading of the schedule.

5-1 of any mix and he's at least going to get to finish the year.
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Baylorbears111
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In reply to Bearknuckle • 12:07p, 1/21/26
Bearknuckle said:
Dia del DougO said:

Just one bye week, if I'm seeing the calendar correctly?

October 18 seems like a key date.

yeah if we're 3-3 or worse with another loss to TCU then I think Dave gets fired on the 18th.

If we're 4-2 with losses to Auburn and TCU, his seat will be getting very warm because of the backloading of the schedule.

5-1 of any mix and he's at least going to get to finish the year.

1-6 against TCU is acceptable?
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Bearknuckle
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In reply to Baylorbears111 • 12:13p, 1/21/26
Baylorbears111 said:
Bearknuckle said:
Dia del DougO said:

Just one bye week, if I'm seeing the calendar correctly?

October 18 seems like a key date.

yeah if we're 3-3 or worse with another loss to TCU then I think Dave gets fired on the 18th.

If we're 4-2 with losses to Auburn and TCU, his seat will be getting very warm because of the backloading of the schedule.

5-1 of any mix and he's at least going to get to finish the year.

1-6 against TCU is acceptable?

what a dumb question.

Of course we'll all be pissed off if the Bears lose to the fraugs again.

But if he's beaten Auburn and Arizona State along with a hapless Colorado along with two chumps, losing to TCU isn't going to get him fired.

Given our leadership's approach to his whole tenure, why would you think they'd fire him at 5-1 because the loss was to TCU? Hopium?
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Baylorbears111
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In reply to Bearknuckle • 12:17p, 1/21/26
Bearknuckle said:
Baylorbears111 said:
Bearknuckle said:
Dia del DougO said:

Just one bye week, if I'm seeing the calendar correctly?

October 18 seems like a key date.

yeah if we're 3-3 or worse with another loss to TCU then I think Dave gets fired on the 18th.

If we're 4-2 with losses to Auburn and TCU, his seat will be getting very warm because of the backloading of the schedule.

5-1 of any mix and he's at least going to get to finish the year.

1-6 against TCU is acceptable?

what a dumb question.

Of course we'll all be pissed off if the Bears lose to the fraugs again.

But if he's beaten Auburn and Arizona State along with a hapless Colorado along with two chumps, losing to TCU isn't going to get him fired.

Given our leadership's approach to his whole tenure, why would you think they'd fire him at 5-1 because the loss was to TCU? Hopium?

1. He would've been fired anywhere else for that record against a rival. Ohio State and Michigan will absolutely fire high performing coaches that can't beat their rival. OU and Texas, the same. Only at Baylor does it appear to be a "non-issue".

2. We have no leadership, so I expect nothing but repeated hapless failure.

3. Because losing to your rival is a performance metric all by itself. Dave should have a penalty in his contract for losing that game.
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Bearknuckle
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In reply to Baylorbears111 • 12:23p, 1/21/26
Baylorbears111 said:
Bearknuckle said:
Baylorbears111 said:
Bearknuckle said:
Dia del DougO said:

Just one bye week, if I'm seeing the calendar correctly?

October 18 seems like a key date.

yeah if we're 3-3 or worse with another loss to TCU then I think Dave gets fired on the 18th.

If we're 4-2 with losses to Auburn and TCU, his seat will be getting very warm because of the backloading of the schedule.

5-1 of any mix and he's at least going to get to finish the year.

1-6 against TCU is acceptable?

what a dumb question.

Of course we'll all be pissed off if the Bears lose to the fraugs again.

But if he's beaten Auburn and Arizona State along with a hapless Colorado along with two chumps, losing to TCU isn't going to get him fired.

Given our leadership's approach to his whole tenure, why would you think they'd fire him at 5-1 because the loss was to TCU? Hopium?

1. He would've been fired anywhere else for that record against a rival. Ohio State and Michigan will absolutely fire high performing coaches that can't beat their rival. OU and Texas, the same. Only at Baylor does it appear to be a "non-issue".

2. We have no leadership, so I expect nothing but repeated hapless failure.

3. Because losing to your rival is a performance metric all by itself. Dave should have a penalty in his contract for losing that game.

so you already know that I'm right, but you can't make the actual decision makers listen to you, so you're asking me to stand in for them? Is that what's happening here?

He may well get to 4-2 as ASU doesn't look like they're set to leap back into the title race and Colorado is straight up hapless right now...but if he loses to TCU and we keep struggling past that point he's going to get fired. If he loses to TCU but we still end up winning 8+ games I don't have any reason to believe they won't retain him given recent history.

To be clear I'll be ready to can him on the 18th if we're 5-1 but just lost to TCU - I HATE THEM WITH THE FIRE OF A THOUSAND SUNS. But I have zero doubt that a TCU loss alone isn't going to get him fired if the season is otherwise going well and finishes that way.
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Stefano DiMera
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In reply to Baylorbears111 • 12:34p, 1/21/26
I missed the news of Ryan Day getting fired because he couldn't beat Michigan.
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Baylorbears111
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In reply to Stefano DiMera • 12:45p, 1/21/26
Stefano DiMera said:
I missed the news of Ryan Day getting fired because he couldn't beat Michigan.

There are multiple articles about his hotseat for the failure to do just that.

Guess what, he finally beat them.
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Big12Bear
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2:18p, 1/21/26
BU-Houston series is tied 15-15-1
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Dia del DougO
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In reply to Baylorbears111 • 5:45p, 1/21/26
Baylorbears111 said:
Bearknuckle said:
Dia del DougO said:

Just one bye week, if I'm seeing the calendar correctly?

October 18 seems like a key date.

yeah if we're 3-3 or worse with another loss to TCU then I think Dave gets fired on the 18th.

If we're 4-2 with losses to Auburn and TCU, his seat will be getting very warm because of the backloading of the schedule.

5-1 of any mix and he's at least going to get to finish the year.

1-6 against TCU is acceptable?

0-1 against TCU in 2026 is unacceptable.

I don't care if he's 5-0 going into that game. Lose one more to TCU, put somebody else in charge.
"The only true currency in this bankrupt world is what you share with someone else when you're uncool."
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Mitch Henessey
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8:41a, 1/22/26
All bearknuckle said was that if he is 5-1 or better going into the TCU game, he isn't getting fired *in-season* which is not even a remotely controversial take. You guys are trying to will a firing so hard that you're losing all objective reasoning. Maybe step away from the keyboard for a couple of weeks. It might do you some good.
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Bearknuckle
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In reply to Mitch Henessey • 8:55a, 1/22/26
Mitch Henessey said:
All bearknuckle said was that if he is 5-1 or better going into the TCU game, he isn't getting fired *in-season* which is not even a remotely controversial take. You guys are trying to will a firing so hard that you're losing all objective reasoning. Maybe step away from the keyboard for a couple of weeks. It might do you some good.

exactly - if we're 5-0 going into TCU and come out 5-1 he's not getting fired on the 18th...even though much of the fanbase will be there emotionally because we're all so sick of losing to the fraugs.
...

Flipside, we could be 2-3 going into TCU, and if we come out 2-4 then we'll definitely hear an announcement on the 18th that a change is being made, with Spav likely becoming interim HC in such a scenario.
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Quinton
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In reply to Dia del DougO • 8:42p, 1/22/26
Dia del DougO said:
Baylorbears111 said:
Bearknuckle said:
Dia del DougO said:

Just one bye week, if I'm seeing the calendar correctly?

October 18 seems like a key date.

yeah if we're 3-3 or worse with another loss to TCU then I think Dave gets fired on the 18th.

If we're 4-2 with losses to Auburn and TCU, his seat will be getting very warm because of the backloading of the schedule.

5-1 of any mix and he's at least going to get to finish the year.

1-6 against TCU is acceptable?

0-1 against TCU in 2026 is unacceptable.

I don't care if he's 5-0 going into that game. Lose one more to TCU, put somebody else in charge.

Agreed, but its not going to work that way so prepare. Losing to any of the Texas teams not named Tech should be a firing. In season won't happen though unless we completely implodes early.

The way I see it, and the way I believe it should be viewed by the AD (it isn't, but should).. Dave should be considered effectively fired. He's only here only due to special circumstances. The only way he retains his job is with extraordinary results. This is not how it will be treated but this is exactly how it should.
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