The Texas Football League (CF25)

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Game: College Football 25
System: XBOX Series S
Roster: Dynasty simmed to 2030
Difficulty: Heisman (CPU vs. CPU)
Sliders: TBD

Introducing the Lone Star Showdown

State bragging rights will be on the line every week when 13 of the top college football teams in Texas clash in a battle for supremacy.

A 12-Game Gauntlet

Each team will face off in a 12-game regular-season schedule, with every team playing each other once.

The Road to Arlington

The two teams that emerge with the best records will earn the right to compete in the ultimate showdown: the State Championship Game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington. The stage will be set, the stakes will be high, and the eyes of Texas will be upon them as they battle for the title of state champion.

One State, One Champion

The Texas Big 12 is more than just a conference - it's a celebration of Texas football, a testament to the passion and pride of the state's fans, and a showcase for the incredible talent that calls Texas home. Who will rise to the top and claim the crown?

The journey begins now!

Teams:

Baylor Bears (Waco)
Houston Cougars (Houston)
North Texas Mean Green (Denton)
Rice Owls (Houston)
Sam Houston State Bearkats (Huntsville)
SMU Mustangs (Dallas)
TCU Horned Frogs (Fort Worth)
Texas A&M Aggies (College Station)
Texas Longhorns (Austin)
Texas State Bobcats (San Marcos)
Texas Tech Red Raiders (Lubbock)
UTEP Miners (El Paso)
UTSA Roadrunners (San Antonio)

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Texas Big 12 Champions

2030:

Texas Big 12 MVP

2030:

Offensive Award Winners

2030:

Defensive Award Winners

2030:

Special Teams Award Winners

2030:

Records Broken

2030:

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ACC:

Boston College
Clemson
Duke
Florida State
Georgia Tech
Louisville
Miami (FL)
NC State
North Carolina
Notre Dame
Pittsburgh
Syracuse
Virginia
Virginia Tech
Wake Forest
West Virginia

American:

Air Force
Army
Charlotte
Cincinnati
East Carolina
Florida Atlantic
Memphis
Navy
South Florida
Temple
Tulane
Tulsa
UAB
UCF

Big Ten:

Colorado
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Iowa State
Kansas
Kansas State
Maryland
Michigan
Michigan State
Minnesota
Nebraska
Northwestern
Ohio State
Penn State
Purdue
Rutgers
Wisconsin

California PAC-12:

California
Fresno State
San Diego State
San Jose State
Stanford
UCLA
USC

C-USA:

FIU
Jacksonville State
Kennesaw State
Liberty
Louisiana Tech
Middle Tennessee
New Mexico State
Western Kentucky

FBS Independents:

UConn
UMass

MAC:

Akron
Ball State
Bowling Green
Buffalo
Central Michigan
Eastern Michigan
Kent State
Miami (OH)
Northern Illinois
Ohio
Toledo
Western Michigan

Mountain West:

Arizona
Arizona State
Boise State
BYU
Colorado State
Hawaii
Nevada
New Mexico
Oregon
Oregon State
UNLV
Utah
Utah State
Washington
Washington State
Wyoming

SEC:

Alabama
Arkansas
Auburn
Florida
Georgia
Kentucky
LSU
Mississippi State
Missouri
Oklahoma
Oklahoma State
Ole Miss
South Carolina
Tennessee
Vanderbilt

Sun Belt:

Appalachian State
Arkansas State
Coastal Carolina
Georgia Southern
Georgia State
James Madison
Louisiana
Louisiana Monroe
Marshall
Old Dominion
South Alabama
Southern Miss
Troy

Texas Big 12:

Baylor
Houston
North Texas
Rice
Sam Houston
SMU
TCU
Texas
Texas A&M
Texas State
Texas Tech
UTEP
UTSA

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Texas Shakes Up College Football: Unveils New 'Texas Big 12' Conference
By Betty Jane, Senior Sports Correspondent

March 15, 2030

AUSTIN, TX - In a move that has sent shockwaves through the world of college athletics, the University of Texas announced today the formation of a new athletic conference: the Texas Big 12. This bold initiative brings together 13 of the Lone Star State's top football programs under one banner, promising to revolutionize the landscape of college football in Texas and beyond.

The announcement comes on the heels of the dissolution of the original Big 12 Conference and Texas' departure from the Southeastern Conference (SEC) after six seasons.

"We believe this is the future of college football in Texas," said Mack Thompson, Athletic Director at the University of Texas. "By bringing together the best programs our state has to offer, we're creating something truly special - a conference that celebrates Texas football and gives our teams the spotlight they deserve."

The new Texas Big 12 will include traditional powerhouses like Texas and Texas A&M, alongside rising programs such as Houston and UTSA. In a surprising twist, the conference will feature a 12-game regular season where each team plays every other team once, with non-conference games reserved exclusively for the postseason.

Dr. Sarah Rodriguez, President of Texas A&M University, initially expressed reservations about leaving the SEC but has since embraced the new conference. "While we've enjoyed our time in the SEC, the opportunity to be part of something so uniquely Texan was too good to pass up," Rodriguez stated. "This conference allows us to renew old rivalries and create new ones, all while showcasing the incredible talent we have in this state."

The move has not been without its critics. Some argue that the insular nature of the conference could harm the national profile of Texas football. Mark Wilson, a sports analyst for National College Football Today, voiced his concerns: "I worry that by only playing each other, these teams might struggle to prove themselves on a national stage. It's a risky move."

However, supporters of the new conference structure argue that it will lead to more intense rivalries and a truer state champion. "Imagine a season where every game has state bragging rights on the line," said Nate Hill, Head Coach of the UTSA Roadrunners. "This is going to make every Saturday feel like a bowl game."

The conference has also announced plans for a championship game to be held at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, pitting the top two teams against each other in what's already being dubbed the "State Championship Game."

Financial details of the deal remain unclear, but sources close to the negotiations suggest that the new media rights agreement could be one of the most lucrative in college sports history.

As news of the Texas Big 12 spreads, reaction from fans has been mixed but largely positive. John Smith, a longtime Longhorns fan, summed up the sentiment of many: "It's going to take some getting used to, but I'm excited. This feels like a return to what makes Texas football special."

With the inaugural season set to kick off this fall, all eyes will be on the Lone Star State as this bold experiment in college athletics unfolds. Whether it will usher in a new era of regional conferences or remain a uniquely Texan endeavor remains to be seen. One thing is certain: college football in Texas will never be the same again.

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Texas in the Polls:

#13 TCU
#17 Texas A&M
#18 North Texas
#20 Texas Tech



In the lone Week 0 contest, Eastern Michigan defeated UMass 28-20.

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Houston CB Gideon Cummings (#14) waves at the Texas crowd after picking off 4 passes.

Houston Stuns Texas in High-Scoring Thriller: Cougars Hold On for 56-48 Victory
By Betty Jane, Senior Sports Correspondent

August 31, 2030

AUSTIN, TX - In a game that will be talked about for years to come, the Houston Cougars (1-0) outlasted the Texas Longhorns (0-1) in a wild 56-48 shootout to open the inaugural season of the Texas Big 12. The contest, marked by explosive offense and opportunistic defense, saw Houston jump out to a commanding lead before withstanding a furious Texas comeback.

Houston's cornerback Gideon Cummings earned Player of the Game honors with a stellar performance, recording four interceptions and seven tackles. His final pick in the end zone as time expired sealed the victory for the Cougars.

"It was a team effort out there," Cummings said after the game. "Our offense put us in a great position early, and we just had to make plays when it counted."

The Cougars wasted no time making their presence felt. On the first play from scrimmage, quarterback Devonta Starkey connected with Chris Portilla on a 51-yard touchdown strike, setting the tone for a high-octane first quarter. Houston's defense then forced a quick turnover, leading to an 8-yard touchdown run by Emari Ogbu.

After Texas managed a field goal, Starkey found the end zone again with a 24-yard pass, pushing the lead to 21-3. The Cougars weren't done yet, as Starkey hit Brian Crozier for a 68-yard touchdown in the dying seconds of the first quarter, giving Houston a shocking 28-3 lead.

The onslaught continued in the second quarter when James Boss intercepted a screen pass and returned it 20 yards for a touchdown, extending Houston's lead to 35-3.

Despite the lopsided score, Texas refused to go down without a fight. Longhorns quarterback Matthew Sanders, despite throwing seven interceptions, showed remarkable resilience. He finished the day completing 41 of 54 passes for 430 yards and two touchdowns. His favorite target, Alex Deluca, had a standout performance with 11 catches for 171 yards and a touchdown.

Texas running back Daniel Cleveland provided a steady ground presence, rushing for 133 yards and two touchdowns on 30 carries.

As the game progressed, Texas chip away at Houston's lead. The Longhorns managed to cut the deficit to just eight points, 56-48, setting up a dramatic finish.

With less than a minute remaining, Cummings made a crucial interception in the end zone, seemingly ending Texas' hopes. However, Houston failed to run out the clock, giving Texas one last untimed down. Fittingly, it was Cummings who stepped up once again, intercepting Sanders' final pass to secure the victory.

Houston's offense, while explosive, was not without its flaws. Starkey finished with impressive numbers - 31 of 40 for 419 yards and five touchdowns - but also threw four interceptions. Ogbu had a monster day on the ground, rushing for 221 yards and a touchdown on 28 carries.

The game was a turnover fest, with the teams combining for 12 turnovers. All seven of Texas' turnovers came via interceptions, while Houston gave the ball away five times.

"It wasn't always pretty, but we'll take the win," Houston head coach Earl Wilbury said. "This is a great way to start our season and our new conference. But we've got a lot of work to do if we want to compete for the Texas Big 12 title."

For Texas, the loss is a tough pill to swallow, but head coach Lavar Ogden found some positives in his team's resilience. "We dug ourselves a huge hole early, but I'm proud of how our guys fought back," Ogden said. "We've got to clean up the turnovers, but this team showed a lot of heart today."

The victory gives Houston an early edge in the Texas Big 12 standings, while Texas will look to rebound next week. If this game is any indication, fans of the new conference are in for an exciting season of high-scoring, unpredictable football.