Jeff Traylor Requested Cancellation of Texas Games
The UTSA head coach cited competitive disadvantages for his program as the reason for his proposal.
Updated on Sept. 19, 2026 in Football
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UTSA football coach Jeff Traylor has publicly requested the cancellation of upcoming games against the University of Texas. Traylor stated that facing high-ranked programs creates significant competitive disadvantages for the San Antonio-based squad.
Why it matters
Traylor argues that the lopsided nature of these matchups harms the long-term prospects of his program. The current schedule creates a major point spread disadvantage, with the 2026 game already carrying a projected 30-point spread.
UTSA is slated to receive $1.7 million for the 2026 game, $1.8 million for the 2028 meeting, and $1.9 million for the 2030 contest. Each game is scheduled to take place at Royal-Memorial Stadium in Austin.
The players
Jeff Traylor
He is the head football coach for the University of Texas at San Antonio.
University of Texas
This is a major public research university with a prominent collegiate football program in Austin.
UTSA
This is the University of Texas at San Antonio, which competes in the American Athletic Conference.
The details
Traylor expressed his desire to end the series during an appearance on the On Second Thought podcast. He emphasized that the financial payouts, while significant, do not outweigh the negative impact on his team's competitive standing.
Timeline
September 19, 2026: UTSA is currently scheduled to play at Royal-Memorial Stadium.
September 16, 2028: UTSA is slated for a game in Austin.
September 14, 2030: UTSA is slated for a final game in Austin.
Season Trajectory
This request challenges the standard practice of smaller programs scheduling high-profile non-conference games to fund their athletic departments. It highlights the growing tension between maintaining financial solvency and protecting a team's competitive standing in an era of expanded playoff access.
The cancellation of these games would force the UTSA athletic department to find alternative opponents to fill the 2026, 2028, and 2030 non-conference slots. Replacing these games would likely result in significantly lower payouts, impacting the budget available for other sports programs at the university.
The takeaway
Traylor's public stance signals that coaching staffs are increasingly weighing the long-term health of their rosters against the short-term financial gains of marquee matchups. Fans and stakeholders should watch for whether other mid-major programs follow this trend of prioritizing competitiveness over large guaranteed payouts.
Further reading
For more on the local team, visit the San Antonio Football section.
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