When No. 1 Texas and No. 3 Ohio State last met, it was under the bright lights of the 2025 College Football Playoff semifinal at AT&T Stadium—a game that ended with the Buckeyes claiming a 28-14 victory and punching their ticket to the national championship. That win evened the all-time series between the two blueblood programs at 2-2, with each team having claimed a pair of victories since their first meeting in 2005. From Vince Young’s dramatic win in Columbus to Ohio State’s dominant showing at Darrell K. Royal – Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin in 2006, this rare rivalry seems to always deliver national championship implications.
On Saturday, August 30th, the Longhorns travel to Columbus to face the defending national champions in one of the most anticipated season openers in recent memory. With both teams projected as top contenders in the new 12-team College Football Playoff, this Week 1 showdown is more than just a rematch—it sets the tone for the 2025 season. For Texas, it’s a shot at redemption. For defending national champion Ohio State, it’s an opportunity to reinforce their dominance and defend their crown. With playoff seeding, national perception, and future legacies on the line, all eyes will be on The Horseshoe when these two powerhouses collide at 11:00 am CST on August 30th.
In anticipation of the big game, we sat down with Buckeye Huddle’s Kevin Noon to find out more about this year’s Ohio State team, what Texas fans can expect in Columbus, and how he sees this one shaking out.
One on One with Buckeye Huddle’s Assistant Editor Kevin Noon
HornSports: Texas fans were very familiar with former Ohio State quarterback Will Howard, having faced him five times in his career. The Buckeyes have officially named Julian Sayin as the starter after winning the quarterback battle against Lincoln Kienholz. What does Sayin bring to the table and what can we expect to see from him against the Longhorns?
Buckeye Huddle: Sayin was a major target coming out of high school before picking Alabama over a list of suitors. He can make all the throws and is a better athlete than people may be giving him credit for.
Now, we have not really seen him under game conditions, Ohio State doesn’t really run its offense with the 2s in there, so it is a limited sample size.
The good news for Texas is, Sayin is not going to pick up where Howard left off, we were talking about a multi-year starter in Howard playing in the team’s 15th game of the season, there is going to be some rust there.
But look for a quarterback who is solid and won’t go out there and beat himself. That doesn’t mean that Texas can’t just come in and step in front of a few passes, but Ohio State’s quarterback development has been top-notch as of late and Sayin is just the latest to come out of the lab.
HornSports: Like Texas, Ohio State lost several key players on the offensive line in Donovan Jackson and Josh Simmons. How confident is the coaching staff in the five guys they will start on the line, particularly on the left side?
Buckeye Huddle: I think there is more reason to feel confident about the left side as we are still trying to figure out who the names on the right side are going to be, for sure. Ohio State went out and brought in Ethan Onianwa from Rice and things have been positive, but he was not able to secure the left tackle position, so now he is in the mix at right tackle, or even guard, as the Buckeyes try and find the best five.
This will be a deep line for Ohio State in terms of guys who are game ready but when things get real against Texas, who will be able to hold their own?
Austin Siereveld is a name to watch at left tackle; he really had a good camp to wrestle the position away from Onianwa.
As for team confidence? No coach is going to be confident at this point of the season, and if they say they are confident, they are probably lying to you. Nobody is ever ‘quite ready enough’ with a dwindling number of practices and a game date on the calendar.
HornSports: How do you expect the Buckeyes to game-plan against Arch Manning and the Texas offense?
Buckeye Huddle: The Buckeyes prepared for a different quarterback in the CFP Semis so the team will need to go to the tape of when Arch was in as a non-runner and see what’s what.
Steve Sarkisian is well-known for his scripted plays to start the game, and I have told Ohio State fans to relax if Texas scores on its first series, you are getting the most well-rehearsed plays at that point.
Then what?
Arch is a special talent, make no mistake, but have we seen anything that he does that other quarterbacks don’t do? Sure, Arch may do it better, but football is football.
Yes, his mobility is going to be an issue, and most teams have their moments against mobile quarterbacks, so there needs to be that.
But Ohio State will just stick to fundamentals and let players make plays and see where things end up after 60 minutes.
HornSports: Which position group do you think will be the X-factor for Ohio State in this matchup?
Buckeye Huddle: I am going to say tight ends and that is something that I don’t even believe that I am saying but hear me out.
There are a lot of known quantities for Ohio State, linebackers and secondary on defense, receivers and running backs on offense. But the tight end could be a difference maker, especially after Ohio State went out and landed Max Klare in the transfer portal.
You couple him with Will Kacmarek and that is a talented one-two for 12 personnel, and Ohio State honestly is more than two deep at the position, maybe as deep as five.
So, you can give a young quarterback a safety valve with a tight end to keep the chains moving, you can also hinder a ferocious pass rush against a rebuilt line with the tight ends.
I think I am talking myself more into this answer, with more conviction. It isn’t as sexy as saying Jeremiah Smith or Caleb Downs, but I think it is the right answer.
HornSports: Are there any under-the-radar players on the Buckeyes roster that Texas fans should keep an eye on?
Buckeye Huddle: Do teams like Ohio State and Texas have ‘under the radar players’ honestly?
That is not me no-selling the question, but we are talking about two of the largest fanbases in the nation and people go to great lengths to learn everything that they can about the rosters.
I think that linebacker Arvell Reese is someone that is not being talked about enough, I think that he could take over a game under the right circumstances and he gives up a lot of headlines to Sonny Styles.
Sticking with defense, I will say cornerback Jermaine Mathews, he may not get the same mentions as Davison Igbinosun, but Mathews will be tested early and often.
On offense, how about receiver Brandon Inniss, who won’t get mentioned the way that Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate will get mentioned, but let’s look at who is a captain on the team. So, his teammates think highly of him, and with Emeka Egbuka now in the NFL, there is a big chance for Inniss to step up in a major way.
HornSports: For fans that have never been to the Horseshoe, give us an idea of what it is it like on game days? What traditions or game-day experiences should Texas fans look forward to (or be warned about) when visiting? Any good bars and restaurants in the vicinity Texas fans should definitely check out while in Columbus?
Buckeye Huddle: You seem to feel that I have a life outside of this job to know where to go. I can’t say that I have had a home football Saturday off in quite a few years to see where to go.
As for the gameday experience, the tailgate lots are great, and ‘most’ people are friendly and will invite you to have a bite or maybe for your favorite beverage. Be sure that you are drinking any adult beverage from a Solo Cup, while the police know what is being consumed, as long as you are not drinking from a can, glass, etc., you will be fine. Ohio State cracked down on things 10-plus years ago and we are still seeing some of the ruminants of some less than fan-friendly decisions.
I am not going to recommend any BBQ places, that just would be rude (I lived in DFW for five years, I traveled the state a fair amount, I know the difference between the minors and the majors). Thurman Café is a big touristy spot that has been highlighted on Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives. It is small and the line can get long. This place is not for gameday, this is for Friday, as it is in a part of town called German Village.
Campus itself doesn’t really have any must eat places in my opinion, is just has become kind of commercial and all your favorite chains will be around campus.
A tradition that most still adhere to is going to the Varsity Club for a drink before the game, it is located well within walking distance of the stadium. With it being a 12pm (local) kickoff, the VC is going to be packed, early. So, if you want to go to one of the staple old-school haunts, get there early and be prepared to be shoulder-to-shoulder with new friends as it can be packed, despite spilling over onto the patio and the side street.
HornSports: Now for the big question… What does Ohio State need to do in order to win this game and what is your score prediction?
Buckeye Huddle: I am not going to lie, it is too early for me to have a score when filling this out, but I will pick a winner. I can live with that but don’t want to start having multiple scores out there at various places.
Ohio State just needs to play its game. If Ohio State can hold up against the Texas rush and Ohio State is able to move the ball on the ground with James Peoples and C.J. Donaldson, the Buckeyes will be in a pretty good spot.
Ohio State would love to put it on Arch Manning to beat him with his arm. With everything that Texas has at running back, that may be a tough ask, but it is always something that you strive to do, make an opponent one-dimensional.
I can hit the other jewels of wisdom, don’t turn the ball over, maybe net a takeaway or two along the way, all those things matter.
And Ohio State just needs to be clean in special teams, regardless. Ohio State generally is pretty clean, but the Buckeyes are not a team that attempts a lot of field goals, could that change this year? I guess it depends on how Ohio State feels about its short-yardage offense. Something that was solid last year but is just a couple of years away from struggling at.
In the end, I think this game feels like a Pick ‘Em in a lot of regards. When in doubt, you take the home team in those instances, but this feels like a one-score type of game.
