The University of Texas recently announced some new TV details for two games that college football fans are eager to see (Texas at Arkansas and the Red River Shootout against some team north of Dallas), and it got me to look at the entire gauntlet of a schedule the Longhorns play in 2021.

The first season under head coach Steve Sarkisian is sure to be a challenging one. While the Horns are coming off a season that saw UT blowout former conference mate Colorado (Pac-12) in the Alamo Bowl, a lot has changed. Former Texas QB Sam Ehlinger is now in the NFL, with Indianapolis fans hoping he can do something to save the Colts. Tom Herman and his staff are gone after learning that one New Year's Six Bowl win isn't enough to keep your job in Austin.

... But with all this change, comes a lot of well-deserved optimism.

Sarkisian isn't just another head coach to come out of the retread factory of Alabama looking for his second chance. "Sark" is one of the few people to walk into Tuscaloosa and improve the offense. Correct that, he went into the "World of Nick Saban" and made drastic changes that no one else would be able to - and it worked.

Sure there is a lot of change on the horizon in Austin, but that is starting to feel more and more like a good thing.

Things open with a Louisiana team that went into Ames last year and mopped the floor with Matt Campbell's Cyclones, 31-14. Then it's a pair of dates with former SWC rivals Rice (CUSA) and Arkansas (SEC) that should give fans a good idea of what to expect heading into conference play against the Texas Tech Red Raiders.

The offense returns plenty of talent at wide receiver, led by Joshua Moore, who hauled down 30 catches for 472 yards in 2020. You can mark this down too, 2021 will be the year of Bijan Robinson. So get ready. Oh, and this fella promises to do some big things in 2021.

If you've got time, here's a great look at Texas Longhorns football receiver Jordan Whittington overcoming past challenges and how he has refocused on improving.

On the defensive side of things, there is a lot to rebuild - but that's one of the reasons Tom Herman is no longer around. Keep an eye on DeMarvion Overshown as the top returner on defense. The linebacker totaled 60 tackles (eight for loss), one sack, a team-high seven pass breakups, and Overshown forced two fumbles in 2020.

Is there reason to be excited? Take a look at the 2021 college football schedule the Longhorns will face below, and you be the judge.

2021 Texas Football Schedule
Sept. 4 – LOUISIANA
Sept. 11 – at Arkansas (6 p.m. CT, ESPN)
Sept. 18 – RICE
Sept. 25 – TEXAS TECH
Oct. 2 – at TCU
Oct. 9 – vs. Oklahoma (Time TBD, ESPN/ABC)
Oct. 16 – OKLAHOMA STATE
Oct. 30 – at Baylor
Nov. 6 – at Iowa State
Nov. 13 – KANSAS
Nov. 20 – at West Virginia
Nov. 27 – KANSAS STATE