The anticipation for the 2025 college football season is already boiling over, and one of the most highly-anticipated early season matchups is set to be a colossal showdown between two blue blood programs—Ohio State and Texas. With both teams reloaded and carrying sky-high expectations, this clash promises to set the tone not only for the playoff conversation but for the entire national narrative. Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day recently joined Colin Cowherd on The Herd to discuss the magnitude of the upcoming battle, the offseason evolution of his team, the challenge posed by the resurgent Longhorns, and how the broader College Football Playoff picture may unfold in the newly expanded 12-team format.

Ryan Day’s appearance on The Herd came as a welcome insight into the mindset of a coach who has weathered pressure, criticism, and expectations year after year. But the 2025 campaign might carry the heaviest stakes yet. With the arrival of former Kansas State star Will Howard to guide the Buckeye offense, a stacked receiving corps led by five-star recruits and veterans alike, and a defensive unit that looks as dangerous as ever, Ohio State is eyeing a return to the mountaintop. Day didn’t shy away from acknowledging the gravity of the Texas matchup. “You want to know where you are early,” Day told Cowherd. “Texas gives us that measuring stick right out the gate. They’re physical, fast, and well-coached. It’s everything you could want in a game if you’re trying to make a statement.”

Indeed, this game will be more than just a test—it could very well define the early trajectory of the season for both programs. Texas, under Steve Sarkisian, has built a roster that’s both deep and explosive, bringing back a formidable quarterback in Arch Manning and a defense that has grown tougher in the trenches. The Longhorns believe they belong in the national title conversation, and a win against Ohio State would cement that belief. For the Buckeyes, it’s about redemption and asserting dominance. After another bitter loss to Michigan last season and falling short of the College Football Playoff, the urgency is unmistakable. Day knows that with the 12-team playoff opening the door wider than ever before, signature wins will hold incredible value—not just for seeding, but for the psychological edge that comes with beating elite competition.

Cowherd pressed Day on what he believes sets this Ohio State team apart from recent years. The coach pointed to a cultural shift in toughness and accountability. “We’ve made it a point to play with an edge again,” Day said. “We’re not just talking about winning—we’re demanding it in the way we practice, the way we prepare, and the way we finish.” That message resonates with Buckeye fans who have seen their team reach the cusp of greatness multiple times in recent years only to fall short when it mattered most. The addition of Will Howard was not just a tactical move but a signal of intent—a quarterback with experience, poise, and the kind of leadership that can galvanize a locker room full of future pros.

In discussing Texas, Day was full of respect but not short on competitive fire. He acknowledged the versatility of Manning, the creative play-calling of Sarkisian, and the Longhorns’ deep stable of weapons. “They can beat you in so many ways,” Day admitted. “But we believe in our guys. We’ve got veterans who’ve played in huge games. We’re not going to be intimidated. We’re going to be prepared.” Preparation will be key, because this isn’t just a game with bragging rights—it’s a prime-time spotlight under the microscope of a college football world that is more scrutinizing than ever.

Cowherd, never one to shy away from big-picture narratives, asked Day for his thoughts on the newly expanded 12-team playoff format and how it changes the dynamics of a season. Day responded with measured enthusiasm. “It’s great for the sport,” he said. “You’ll see more meaningful games in November, more teams staying in the hunt, and less margin for error. But that doesn’t change our approach—we’re still trying to go undefeated, we’re still trying to win the Big Ten, and we’re still trying to win a national title.” His confidence in the team’s depth was clear. From a bolstered offensive line to a defensive secondary that Day called “as complete as we’ve had,” the Buckeyes look to be positioned not just for a playoff appearance but for a legitimate title run.

What makes this upcoming Ohio State-Texas clash so tantalizing is that it pits two programs at the peak of their identity development. For Texas, it’s about proving the rebuild is over and that they’re ready to reclaim their place among the sport’s elite. For Ohio State, it’s about reasserting dominance after a season of soul-searching and scrutiny. The battle in Austin will be drenched in emotion, strategy, and the kind of raw intensity that defines college football at its best. Ryan Day, despite all the pressure that swirls around him every season, appears as focused and fiery as ever.

Perhaps most intriguing from Day’s chat with Cowherd was his perspective on how the Buckeyes are managing expectations internally. “Pressure is a privilege,” he said, quoting tennis great Billie Jean King. “We talk about it all the time—if people expect great things from you, it means you’ve done something right. Now you have to live up to it.” That mindset has been drilled into the team’s culture this offseason. From early morning workouts to high-stakes scrimmages, Ohio State is preparing with urgency and purpose. Day even hinted at the possibility of the Buckeyes leaning more into their defensive identity this season, something that hasn’t been a hallmark since the Urban Meyer era. With a deep front seven and elite cornerback play, that shift might be the very edge they need to navigate the gauntlet ahead.

Texas, for their part, isn’t lacking in motivation either. The Longhorns have waited a long time for a season like this—one where the roster, the coaching, and the opportunity all align. Arch Manning has grown into the spotlight, and with a national television audience sure to be watching every move, this game represents his chance to cement his legacy early. But the Buckeyes won’t be making it easy. Ryan Day made it clear: “We respect everyone, but we fear no one. When we show up in that stadium, we’re going to be ready for a fight.”

Cowherd, clearly impressed with Day’s candor and conviction, wrapped the segment by asking the coach for one word to describe the 2025 Ohio State Buckeyes. Day paused and then smiled. “Relentless,” he said. That word may come to define not just the team’s approach, but the intensity of a season that promises unforgettable moments, starting with a fireworks-filled showdown in Austin.

As the college football world inches closer to kickoff, the Buckeyes-Longhorns battle is shaping up as an early measuring stick for playoff positioning, Heisman hopefuls, and national perception. With Ryan Day setting the tone and embracing the pressure, Ohio State is charging full speed into the fire, hoping to come out on the other side with a win that echoes all the way to December. Texas will have its say, and Arch Manning will look to carve his name into Longhorn lore with a victory over one of the sport’s most powerful programs. But the Buckeyes are coming armed with experience, talent, and a chip on their shoulder. And Ryan Day wouldn’t have it any other way.