Eric Boggs
The 2025 college football season couldn’t be kicking off with a more electrifying matchup. On August 30, the eyes of the nation will turn to Columbus as No. 2 Ohio State hosts No. 1 Texas in what will be the first season opener in history featuring the top two teams in the USA TODAY Coaches Poll. The stakes, the history, and the talent on both sidelines make this a moment that promises to define the season before most teams even take the field.
Texas earned the preseason No. 1 ranking on the back of an incredibly talented roster led by quarterback Arch Manning, All-American linebacker Anthony Hill Jr., and Colin Simmons, the reigning Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year. Steve Sarkisian’s squad has made the College Football Playoff in each of the last two seasons, but they’ve come up short of a national championship — a fact they’re hoping to change this year, starting with a statement win at Ohio Stadium.
But standing in the Longhorns’ way is an Ohio State program still glowing from its 2024 national title. Despite losing 14 players to the NFL Draft and three more to undrafted free agent deals, the Buckeyes return a loaded roster. Leading the way is sophomore phenom Jeremiah Smith, who turned heads across the country as a true freshman, along with unanimous All-American safety Caleb Downs and All-Big Ten linebacker Sonny Styles. The core of Ohio State’s dominant defense returns intact and could end up being the most complete unit in college football this fall.
The last time these two programs met was just eight months ago in the 2024 Cotton Bowl, a game that ended with Jack Sawyer’s legendary scoop-and-score that sealed a 28-14 Buckeye victory in Arlington. That play instantly became one of the most iconic moments in Ohio State history — and now, the Longhorns are coming to the Horseshoe looking for payback. Unlike the neutral-site environment of last winter, this time it’s Ohio State with the home-field advantage, under the lights (and pressure) of FOX’s Big Noon Saturday.
FOX is billing this as “the biggest season opener ever,” and the hype isn’t just for show. Their trailer, released Sunday, leans into the drama with highlights of Smith and Manning, and the unmistakable voices of Gus Johnson and Joel Klatt stoking the fire. The new 12-team College Football Playoff format ensures that a loss won’t eliminate either team, but make no mistake — the winner of this Week 1 clash gains a massive advantage in the race for a top seed and a first-round bye.
For the Buckeyes, the Texas showdown is just the beginning of what will be a grueling schedule. Six conference teams are ranked in the preseason top 25, including Penn State (No. 3), Oregon (No. 7), Illinois (No. 12), Michigan (No. 14), and Indiana (No. 19). The Buckeyes travel to face Illinois on October 11, host Penn State in a potential top-five showdown on November 1, and close the regular season against archrival Michigan in The Game on November 29.
As fall camp continues in Columbus, the countdown is officially on. Moments make legends, and legends make history — and Buckeye Nation is ready to make some more when the Longhorns come to town.
