GAME DAY: No. 1 Texas Longhorns @ No. 3 Ohio State Buckeyes

The college football world turns its eyes to Columbus this today as the No. 1 Texas Longhorns travel to face the No. 3 Ohio State Buckeyes in what is poised to be one of the most electrifying season openers in recent memory. This top-three showdown at the Horseshoe is more than just a rematch—it’s a battle for early supremacy, playoff momentum, and program pride. For Texas, there is an added “extra” involved – revenge for losing to the Buckeyes in last year’s College Football Playoff Semifinal at AT&T Stadium.

This will be the fifth meeting between these two storied programs, with the all-time series tied at 2-2. 

Their first clash came in 2005, when Vince Young led eventual national champion Texas to a dramatic 25-22 win in Columbus. Ohio State responded in 2006 with a 24-7 victory in Austin. The teams met again in the 2009 Fiesta Bowl, where Colt McCoy and Texas edged out a 24-21 win. Most recently, the Buckeyes defeated the Longhorns 28-14 in the 2024 College Football Playoff semifinal, en route to a national championship.

Key Players to Watch

Texas Longhorns

• Arch Manning (QB): The junior quarterback enters his first full season as the starter and is already the Heisman Trophy favorite. Last season, he completed nearly 68% of his passes for 939 yards and 9 touchdowns in limited action.
• Anthony Hill Jr. (LB): A disruptive force in the middle, Hill anchors a defense that ranked second nationally in scoring last year.
• Colin Simmons (EDGE): The sophomore pass rusher posted 9 sacks and 48 total tackles in his freshman campaign. Simmons leads a ferocious defensive front that tallied 46 sacks in 2024.
• Quintrevion Wisner and CJ Baxter (RB): Heralded 5-star prospect CJ Baxter is back healthy this season after missing last season with an injury. Quintrevion Wisner rushed for over 1,000 yards last season and had standout games against Kentucky (158 rushing yards), Texas A&M (186 rushing yards), and Clemson (110 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns) in the College Football Playoff.
  

Ohio State Buckeyes

• Julian Sayin (QB): The redshirt freshman and former five-star recruit won the starting job this fall. Sayin has elite accuracy and a quick release, but this will be his first career start.
• Jeremiah Smith (WR): Widely considered the best wide receiver in college football, Smith had 1,315 yards and 15 touchdowns as a freshman and is a top Heisman candidate.
• Carnell Tate (WR): A dynamic route runner and reliable target, Tate complements Smith and could easily surpass 1,000 yards this season.
• Caleb Downs (S): The leader of Ohio State’s secondary, Downs is a versatile defender who can impact the game in coverage and run support

What’s at Stake

For Texas, a win would be monumental. It would avenge last season’s playoff loss, validate the hype behind quarterback Arch Manning, and solidify their status as the team to beat in the SEC and nationally. With a deep roster and an elite defense, a victory in Columbus would send a clear message on a national level that the Longhorns are serious contenders for a national championship this season.

For Ohio State, defending home turf against the No. 1 team would reinforce their championship pedigree. The Buckeyes have won 25 straight season openers and are looking to extend that streak while breaking in new starters across the offensive line and defensive front 

A win would prove they can reload and contend again, even after losing key pieces to the NFL.