The rest of the Big Ten schedule for opening week is full of clunkers. Opponents include Old Dominion, Nevada, Missouri State, the University of Albany and Montana State, an uninspiring lineup.
By contrast, this matchup of the Longhorns and Buckeyes is one of the marquee pairings of the entire season, last year's national champions hosting Arch Manning and SEC runnerup Texas, 13-3 a year ago.
The Sporting News Composite bills this as No. 1 Texas vs. No. 2 Ohio State. Action Network has the Buckeyes as a three-point favorite in the Horseshoe.
In January OSU manhandled UT in the College Football Playoff Semifinal, winning 28-14 at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas. The Buckeye front led by seniors JT Tuimoloau and Jack Sawyer held the Longhorns to 58 yards rushing.
Caleb Downs picked off Quinn Ewers. In the fourth quarter Sawyer rumbled 83 yards for a touchdown on a fumble recovery.
New Ohio State offensive coordinator Brian Hartline will have to steady a first-time starter at quarterback, either Julian Sayin or Lincoln Kienholz. It's a Big Noon Kickoff game on Fox, 9 a.m. PT.
College GameDay will be there, the last headgear pick for Lee Corso.
The critical matchup of the game might be Ohio State's outstanding receiver tandem of Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate versus a strong Texas secondary featuring safety Michael Taaffe and cornerbacks Malik Muhammad and Jaylon Guilbeau.
Downs and Sonny Styles will try to make things confusing for Arch Manning in his first start against a Top 25 team. New Buckeye defensive coordinator Matt Patricia must fashion some pressure with a rebuilt defensive line, where Kenyatta Jackson Jr., Caden Curry, Eddrick Houston, freshman Zion Grady and Kayden McDonald take over from Sawyer and Tuimoloau, destined for NFL camps.
North Carolina edge rusher Beau Atkinson, 7.5 sacks last season, is a key addition from the portal. So too Max Klare at tight end.
The two highest rated players in EA College Football 25
— CFBTalkDaily (@CFBTalkDaily) June 20, 2025
Jeremiah Smith 98 overall
Caleb Downs 96 overall pic.twitter.com/Uzy0LksPeT