The baylor university football schedule for the 2026 season is now underway, with the Baylor Bears opening the campaign against Auburn in Atlanta. Baylor enters the season with a 12-game regular-season schedule featuring three nonconference opponents and nine Big 12 Conference games, followed by a potential appearance in the Big 12 Championship Game.
The latest update comes after Baylor opened the season with a narrow 17-16 loss to Auburn on September 5 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. The Bears now turn their attention to their home opener against Prairie View A&M at McLane Stadium in Waco.
Baylor Football Schedule 2026: Complete Schedule
Baylor’s 2026 regular-season schedule includes six home games and six games away from McLane Stadium. The current schedule is:
| Date | Opponent | Location | Time | TV/Network |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 5 | Auburn | Atlanta, Georgia | 2:30 p.m. CT | ABC |
| September 12 | Prairie View A&M | Waco, Texas | 7 p.m. CT | ESPN+ |
| September 19 | Louisiana Tech | Waco, Texas | 3 p.m. CT | ESPNU |
| September 26 | Colorado | Waco, Texas | TBD | TBD |
| October 3 | Arizona State | Tempe, Arizona | TBD | TBD |
| October 17 | TCU | Waco, Texas | TBD | TBD |
| October 24 | Kansas | Lawrence, Kansas | TBD | TBD |
| October 30 | UCF | Orlando, Florida | 6:30 p.m. CT | ESPN |
| November 7 | Iowa State | Waco, Texas | TBD | TBD |
| November 14 | BYU | Provo, Utah | TBD | TBD |
| November 21 | Texas Tech | Waco, Texas | TBD | TBD |
| November 28 | Houston | Houston, Texas | TBD | TBD |
| December 4 | Big 12 Championship Game* | Arlington, Texas | 7 p.m. CT | ABC |
*Baylor must qualify for the Big 12 Championship Game.
Baylor Opens 2026 Season Against Auburn
Baylor’s season opener was one of the most anticipated games on the schedule because it matched the Bears against Auburn in the Aflac Kickoff Game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
The game took place on September 5, with Baylor falling 17-16 after a dramatic finish.
Auburn led 17-10 late in the fourth quarter, but Baylor mounted a 75-yard drive over 14 plays. The Bears reached the end zone and then attempted a game-winning two-point conversion with nine seconds remaining.
Quarterback DJ Lagway completed a pass to Matthew Klopfenstein, but the attempt came up inches short. Auburn therefore held on for the one-point victory.
The result leaves Baylor 0-1 entering its second game of the season.
Baylor vs. Prairie View A&M: Home Opener
Baylor’s next game is against Prairie View A&M on September 12 at McLane Stadium in Waco.
Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. CT, with the game set to stream on ESPN+.
The matchup represents the first meeting between Baylor and Prairie View A&M, according to Baylor’s official 2026 schedule announcement.
The game also serves as 254 Night, an annual Baylor event recognizing the university’s connection to the surrounding Waco area and McLennan County.
After losing a close season opener, Baylor will have an opportunity to earn its first victory of the 2026 campaign in front of its home crowd.
Louisiana Tech Comes to McLane Stadium
The Bears remain at home the following week when Louisiana Tech visits Waco on September 19.
The game is scheduled for 3 p.m. CT and will be televised on ESPNU.
The contest is also Baylor’s Family Weekend and Gold Rush game.
Baylor has historically controlled the series against Louisiana Tech, entering the matchup with a 5-1 record in the previous six meetings. The most recent meeting occurred in 1996, when Baylor won 24-16 in Shreveport, Louisiana.
Colorado Starts Big 12 Play
Baylor begins its Big 12 Conference schedule on September 26 against Colorado at McLane Stadium.
The kickoff time and television information remain to be announced.
The Colorado game is particularly important because it begins Baylor’s conference schedule and starts the team’s nine-game Big 12 slate.
Colorado has historically held the advantage in the series. The Buffaloes entered the 2026 matchup with a 10-7 all-time record against Baylor.
The two teams last produced a memorable meeting in 2024, when Colorado defeated Baylor in an overtime thriller in Boulder.
Arizona State Provides First Big 12 Road Test
Baylor’s first conference road game comes October 3 against Arizona State in Tempe, Arizona.
The Bears will travel to Mountain America Stadium for the matchup, which currently has a kickoff time and television designation listed as TBD.
Arizona State won the previous two meetings between the programs, including a 27-24 victory over Baylor in Waco during the 2025 season.
The game therefore represents an early opportunity for Baylor to reverse that recent trend.
TCU Rivalry Returns to Waco
After a bye week, Baylor returns to action October 17 against TCU at McLane Stadium.
The matchup is one of the most established rivalries in Texas college football and is known as The Revivalry.
Baylor’s official schedule lists the game as a Blackout on the Brazos or Whiteout event, with the final kickoff time and television network still to be determined.
TCU won the most recent meeting in 2025, defeating Baylor 42-36 in a game affected by weather delays. Baylor won the previous meeting in Waco in 2024, securing a 37-34 victory on a walk-off field goal.
Kansas and UCF Create a Two-Game Road Stretch
Baylor begins another demanding portion of its schedule with consecutive road games against Kansas and UCF.
The Bears visit Kansas on October 24 at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium in Lawrence.
Baylor has dominated the recent series against Kansas, winning 14 consecutive meetings entering the 2026 season.
The following week, Baylor travels to Orlando to face UCF on October 30. The game was moved to Friday and is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. CT on ESPN.
The UCF matchup gives Baylor another challenging road assignment before the Bears return to Waco for the final stretch of the regular season.
Iowa State Hosts Baylor for Homecoming
Baylor returns to McLane Stadium on November 7 to face Iowa State.
The matchup will serve as Baylor’s Homecoming game.
Iowa State won the most recent meeting between the teams in 2024, ending Baylor’s two-game winning streak in the series with a 43-21 victory.
Baylor holds a 12-10 advantage in the all-time series and has a 7-3 record against Iowa State in games played in Waco.
The kickoff time and television network for the 2026 meeting have not yet been finalized.
Baylor Travels to BYU
The Bears head west on November 14 to face BYU at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo, Utah.
BYU has won the last two meetings between the programs, including a memorable double-overtime victory over Baylor in Provo in 2022.
The 2026 contest will be the sixth meeting between Baylor and BYU. BYU currently holds a 3-2 advantage in the series.
This road game could become particularly important in the Big 12 standings as the regular season approaches its final weeks.
Texas Tech Visits Waco for Senior Day
Baylor’s final regular-season home game is scheduled for November 21 against Texas Tech.
The game will take place at McLane Stadium and is designated as Baylor’s Salute to Service and Senior Day.
The Bears enter the matchup with an all-time series advantage over Texas Tech. Baylor defeated the Red Raiders 59-35 in Lubbock in the teams’ most recent meeting in 2024.
With the regular season nearing its conclusion, the game could have major implications for Baylor’s conference position.
Regular Season Ends at Houston
Baylor closes its regular-season schedule on November 28 against Houston at TDECU Stadium.
The teams last met in 2025, when Houston defeated Baylor 31-24 in Waco.
Baylor has historically led the series, but Houston’s recent victory made the matchup even more competitive heading into the 2026 season.
The Houston game is Baylor’s final scheduled regular-season contest before the Big 12 Championship Game.
Big 12 Championship Game Is Scheduled for December 4
The 2026 Big 12 Championship Game is scheduled for Friday, December 4, at 7 p.m. CT at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
ABC is scheduled to televise the championship game.
Baylor’s appearance will depend on its performance during the regular season and its position in the Big 12 standings.
The Bears’ most recent Big 12 championship came in 2021, when Baylor defeated Oklahoma State in Arlington.
How Many Home Games Does Baylor Have in 2026?
Baylor has six scheduled home games at McLane Stadium during the 2026 regular season.
Those home opponents are:
- Prairie View A&M — September 12
- Louisiana Tech — September 19
- Colorado — September 26
- TCU — October 17
- Iowa State — November 7
- Texas Tech — November 21
The schedule gives Baylor three consecutive home games to begin its home schedule before the conference portion becomes more road-heavy.
How Many Big 12 Games Does Baylor Play?
Baylor plays nine Big 12 Conference games during the 2026 regular season.
The conference opponents are:
- Colorado
- Arizona State
- TCU
- Kansas
- UCF
- Iowa State
- BYU
- Texas Tech
- Houston
The Big 12 schedule is structured so that Baylor faces a combination of home and road opponents throughout the conference season.
What Is Baylor’s Record So Far in 2026?
Following the season-opening loss to Auburn, Baylor’s record stands at 0-1 overall and 0-0 in Big 12 play.
The Bears scored 16 points against Auburn but were unable to complete the comeback after their late two-point conversion attempt fell short.
Baylor’s next opportunity to improve its record comes against Prairie View A&M on September 12.
Baylor Football Schedule: Important Dates to Watch
Several dates stand out on the 2026 schedule.
The September 26 meeting with Colorado marks the beginning of Big 12 play. The October 17 game against TCU brings one of Baylor’s biggest annual rivalries back to McLane Stadium.
The October 24 and October 30 games create a challenging consecutive road stretch against Kansas and UCF.
November also brings a demanding sequence featuring Iowa State, BYU, Texas Tech and Houston before the regular season concludes.
If Baylor remains in contention for the Big 12 title, December 4 could provide another opportunity to play for the conference championship in Arlington.
Baylor Football Schedule and Game Times
Not every Baylor game currently has a confirmed kickoff time or television network.
The first three games of the season have established times and networks, while the UCF game was moved to Friday, October 30, with a 6:30 p.m. CT kickoff on ESPN.
Several Big 12 games remain listed as TBD. Television partners and the conference can finalize those selections later in the season.
Fans should therefore check the official Baylor football schedule before making final plans for games whose times have not yet been announced.
Baylor Football Schedule: Latest Update
The latest update to the Baylor schedule comes after the Bears’ 17-16 defeat against Auburn.
Baylor now has 11 regular-season games remaining, beginning with Prairie View A&M at McLane Stadium.
The Bears’ schedule includes six home games, six road or neutral-site regular-season games, nine Big 12 contests and a potential conference championship appearance.
The early part of the season gives Baylor a chance to regroup at home before the schedule becomes increasingly conference-focused.
For fans following the Bears throughout the season, the most important schedule details to watch will be updated kickoff times, television assignments, game results and Baylor’s position in the Big 12 standings.
Follow the Baylor Bears throughout the season, and share your thoughts on the schedule and the team’s 2026 outlook in the comments below.