Texas 2012 Football Schedule: TCU New Thanksgiving Week Opponent

Now that new conference member West Virginia has finally settled its legal dispute with the Big East, the Big 12 released its long-awaited football schedule for the 2012 season Tuesday.

The conference will remain at 10 schools this season, with West Virginia and TCU stepping into the shoes of Missouri and Texas A&M, who have departed for the SEC.

With the Aggies acrimonious departure, the Horned Frogs have been slated to fill their role as Texas' opponent the week of Thanksgiving, but the game has been moved from Thursday to Saturday Nov. 24.

However, it's still unclear whether TCU will become a permanent fixture in that role or whether that spot in the Texas schedule will be rotated within the conference.

With a front-loaded conference schedule in 2012, Mack Brown won't have much time to get his young team prepared during non-conference play. They open the Big 12 season with a visit to defending champion Oklahoma State on Sep. 29 and then follow that with a home date against West Virginia on Oct. 6 and the annual Red River Rivalry game with OU in Dallas on Oct. 13.

Texas' other home conference games next season are against Baylor (Oct. 20) and Iowa State (Nov. 10).

The Longhorns full conference schedule:

September 29: at Oklahoma State

October 6: West Virginia

October 13: Oklahoma (in Dallas)

October 20: Baylor

October 27: at Kansas

November 3: at Texas Tech

November 10: Iowa State

November 24: TCU

December 1: Kansas State

For more analysis and reaction on the Texas schedule, check out Burnt Orange Nation and Barking Carnival.