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Michigan’s series with Texas is reportedly changing with Longhorns joining SEC early
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Michigan’s future non-conference clash with Texas is getting a shakeup with Thursday’s news the Longhorns are leaving the Big 12 a year earlier than expected and joining the SEC in 2024.
ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported Thursday evening that Michigan will now host Texas in Ann Arbor in 2024. The Wolverines will make the trip to Austin in 2027.
Sources: A key part of the deal to let OU and Texas out of Big 12 early was a game flip of a non-conference match-up between Michigan and Texas. Texas will now visit Michigan in 2024 in Ann Arbor and Michigan will return the game in Austin in 2027. They’d been scheduled opposite.
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) February 10, 2023
TV inventory was a sticking point in the months-long discussions between the Big 12 and OU/Texas. Multiple reports on Thursday suggested FOX and ESPN were drivers in the move to separate the SEC-bound schools from the Big 12 early, but with ESPN owning exclusive rights to the SEC in 2024, FOX apparently needed some concessions for lost TV inventory.
With the UT game moving to Michigan, it seems likely it’ll be broadcast on FOX. Thamel went on to report FOX wanted that particular game to flip in agreeing to let the Longhorns and Sooners out of the Big 12 early.
Michigan’s current 2024 schedule also includes home games against Fresno State and Arkansas State in the non-conference.
Derek Peterson does a bit of everything, not unlike Taysom Hill. He has covered Oklahoma, Nebraska, the Pac-12, and now delivers CFB-wide content.