The 2025 college football season kicks off with a seismic clash as the reigning national champion Ohio State Buckeyes welcome the Texas Longhorns to Columbus for a monumental Week 1 showdown. This isn’t just a battle between two of the sport’s most storied programs; it’s a rematch of last season’s thrilling College Football Playoff semifinal, a 28-14 victory for the Buckeyes in the Cotton Bowl.
Scheduled for a 12:00 PM ET kickoff on Saturday, August 30th, at Ohio Stadium, this contest will be broadcast nationally on FOX and serve as the backdrop for their “Big Noon Kickoff” show. With both teams reloading after significant NFL draft departures, this early-season test will provide a crucial first look at the new faces in championship contention.
2024 Season Recap: A Tale of Two Playoff Teams
Ohio State Buckeyes (14-2): The Buckeyes navigated a grueling 2024 schedule, overcoming two regular-season losses to secure a spot in the inaugural 12-team playoff. From there, they caught fire, avenging a loss to Oregon and dispatching Texas en route to a 34-23 victory over Notre Dame in the National Championship. Their offense was potent, averaging 35.7 points per game, while their defense was the nation’s best, allowing a mere 12.9 points per game.
Texas Longhorns (13-3): Texas thrived in their first year in the SEC, posting an impressive 13-3 record. Their journey included dominant wins and hard-fought battles, culminating in a playoff berth. They ultimately fell to the eventual champion Buckeyes but proved they belonged among the nation’s elite. The Longhorns’ offense averaged 33.0 points per game, complemented by a stout defense that gave up just 15.3 points per contest.
Key Storylines & Matchups
This game is defined by the immense talent leaving and the five-star prospects stepping in to fill the void.
The New Quarterbacks:
- Ohio State: The Buckeyes face the monumental task of replacing a staggering 17 NFL draftees, including quarterback Will Howard, running backs TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins, and star receiver Emeka Egbuka. The keys to the offense are being handed to a new signal-caller, with former five-star Alabama transfer Julian Sayin appearing to have the edge in a tight battle with Lincoln Kienholz. Sayin brings elite arm talent but is largely untested.
- Texas: The Longhorns have their own seismic shift at quarterback. With Quinn Ewers off to the NFL, the much-anticipated Arch Manning era begins. The nephew of Peyton and Eli, Manning is surrounded by colossal hype and Heisman Trophy expectations. How he handles the pressure in his first start, on the road against the defending champions, will be the game’s central narrative.
Ohio State’s Reloaded Offense vs. Texas’s Veteran Defense:
While Ohio State lost a wealth of experience, they return arguably the best player in college football, sophomore WR Jeremiah Smith, who is poised for a monster season. He’ll be the primary target for the new quarterback. The Buckeyes’ rebuilt offensive line will be tested immediately by a Texas defensive front that should still be a team strength. The Longhorns return key leadership in the secondary with safety Michael Taaffe, who will be crucial in containing Smith and the Buckeyes’ other talented receivers.
The Arch Manning Debut vs. a Revamped Buckeye Secondary:
Texas lost its top two receivers to the NFL but expects sophomore Ryan Wingo and Stanford transfer Emmett Mosley V to step into prominent roles. Manning will have weapons, but he’ll be facing a talented, albeit new-look, Ohio State secondary. The Buckeyes lost most of their starting defensive backs but return All-American safety Caleb Downs, the best defensive player in the country. His matchup against the Texas passing attack will be critical.
Big Showdown
This is a classic showdown between a team with a new quarterback at home and a team with a new quarterback on the road. Ohio State’s championship pedigree and home-field advantage at “The Shoe” are significant factors. However, the sheer volume of talent they lost to the NFL—practically an entire starting lineup’s worth of draft picks—cannot be overstated. Replacing that level of production and leadership from day one is a monumental challenge.
Texas, while also losing key players, seems to have a more defined succession plan, particularly with Manning, who has been in the system for two years. The Longhorns are ranked No. 1 in the preseason AP Poll for a reason; the talent is immense, and the belief is that Manning is a generational prospect ready to lead them.