Texas vs. Ohio State Set for Prime FOX Week 1 Clash: Top Storylines, Star Power, and Playoff Implications
The 2025 college football season kicks off with one of the most highly anticipated matchups in recent memory as the Texas Longhorns take on the Ohio State Buckeyes in Week 1. The game is set to air nationally on FOX, spotlighting two of the sport’s most iconic programs in a clash loaded with storylines, star power, and early College Football Playoff ramifications. With blue-chip rosters, high-profile coaches, and fan bases that span the country, this battle in Columbus is a perfect table-setter for a new season.
Texas enters the season riding a wave of momentum. The Longhorns reached the College Football Playoff in 2024 under Steve Sarkisian, falling just short in a classic semifinal loss. Now, with a retooled roster and sky-high expectations, they open the season on one of the sport’s most intimidating stages—Ohio Stadium. Meanwhile, the Buckeyes are equally hungry, eager to erase the memory of a disappointing ending to last season and return to national title contention under head coach Ryan Day. Ohio State fell just short of the Big Ten crown and missed the playoff, but Day’s squad looks loaded again and will be eyeing a statement win to begin 2025.
FOX’s decision to feature this game in its coveted “Big Noon Saturday” window comes as no surprise. Few matchups in college football offer this combination of historical pedigree and current relevance. The Longhorns and Buckeyes are both legitimate national title contenders, and this clash could serve as a tone-setter for the playoff committee and for the narrative that will shape the early season. The stakes are clear: win and become an early frontrunner; lose, and risk playing catch-up in the race to the postseason.
Much of the attention in this game will focus on the quarterbacks. Texas is expected to start Arch Manning, the former five-star recruit and one of the most scrutinized prospects in the history of college football. Manning sat behind Quinn Ewers early in his career, but now the spotlight is his alone. With an offseason of growth and preparation, Arch has a chance to prove he’s ready to lead Texas back to the promised land. The pressure will be immense, but the talent is undeniable. If Manning can perform under the lights in Columbus, it will be a seismic statement—not just for Texas, but for his personal trajectory as well.
On the other side, Ohio State boasts its own elite signal-caller. Devin Brown returns after winning the starting job last season, and he’s now an experienced leader of a potent offense. Brown has a strong arm, mobility, and command of the Buckeyes’ system, but he’ll be tested by a Texas defense that returns several key pieces and added depth through the portal. Brown’s ability to avoid costly mistakes and stretch the field vertically could be the key to unlocking Texas’ secondary, which is talented but still somewhat unproven.
Skill positions on both sides are loaded. Texas has retooled its wide receiver room, but talent is not in short supply. Isaiah Bond, the Alabama transfer, is a name to watch. He brings elite speed and SEC experience to a unit that will need to create separation against Ohio State’s suffocating man coverage. The Longhorns also feature a deep backfield, headlined by Cedric Baxter Jr., who flashed potential last season and now steps into a larger role. If Texas can establish balance early, Sarkisian’s play-calling creativity could thrive.
Ohio State, meanwhile, continues to be Wide Receiver U. While Marvin Harrison Jr. is now in the NFL, the Buckeyes have reloaded with stars like Emeka Egbuka and breakout candidates like Carnell Tate and Brandon Inniss. Tight end Jelani Thurman could also play a pivotal role as a mismatch threat over the middle. In the backfield, TreVeyon Henderson is one of the most electric runners in the nation. His blend of vision, speed, and toughness makes him a home-run threat every time he touches the ball. Texas will need to account for him on every snap, both as a rusher and as a receiver.
Defense could ultimately decide this game. Ohio State returns a fierce front seven, anchored by All-American candidate JT Tuimoloau, who is capable of disrupting any gameplan. Paired with Jack Sawyer and a group of athletic linebackers, the Buckeyes’ front has the potential to collapse pockets and limit rushing lanes. That will put pressure on Texas’ offensive line, which must protect Manning and allow Sarkisian to execute his playbook. If the Longhorns struggle up front, this could become a long afternoon.
Texas’ defense is led by linebacker Anthony Hill Jr., a rising star with NFL traits. The Longhorns’ secondary will be tested early and often, especially if the front fails to generate consistent pressure. The matchup between Ohio State’s receivers and Texas’ defensive backs could be a deciding factor. It’s a strength-on-strength battle that will go a long way in determining who controls the tempo and flow of the game. Turnovers, too, could prove crucial—especially early, when nerves and adrenaline are highest.
Beyond the on-field matchups, there are layers of intrigue in the coaching battle. Steve Sarkisian has elevated Texas to a level of consistency and competitiveness that had eluded the program for years. His offensive mind is among the sharpest in the game, and he’s shown an ability to prepare his teams well for big stages. But this is arguably his toughest regular-season test yet, and how he navigates the intensity of Columbus will say a lot about his evolution as a head coach.
Ryan Day, conversely, enters the season with pressure of his own. Despite a sterling record overall, Day has not beaten Michigan in three straight tries and has missed the playoff in back-to-back years. A loss in the opener would crank up the heat in Columbus, where expectations are never anything less than national championship or bust. A win over Texas, however, would calm those voices and restore the Buckeyes’ aura of dominance. Day’s offensive acumen is well known, but how his defense, under Jim Knowles, performs against Sarkisian’s schemes will be closely watched.
There’s also the conference context. Texas begins its first year in the SEC, and a win over Ohio State would signal the program’s readiness to compete with the best of the best, week in and week out. The SEC gauntlet looms—Alabama, Georgia, LSU, and others await—but this non-conference statement could give Texas an early cushion in the playoff race. For Ohio State, the new Big Ten landscape brings its own complications, with Oregon, Washington, USC, and UCLA now in the fold. The Buckeyes need to assert their place atop this new-look league, and beating Texas would be the perfect way to launch that campaign.
In terms of the playoff, this game could carry as much weight as any in the regular season. In the expanded 12-team format, one loss is no longer a death sentence, but seeding and resume still matter immensely. A top-four seed earns a first-round bye. A win in Week 1 could ultimately make that difference. It’s also a chance to claim a marquee win for the committee, which values quality victories against elite competition. The loser will still have everything to play for, but the margin for error tightens.
For fans, this game offers everything you could want: tradition, future NFL talent, passionate crowds, and real stakes. The atmosphere in Columbus promises to be electric, with over 100,000 Buckeye faithful creating one of the loudest environments in all of sports. Texas will need to communicate effectively and stay poised in what may be Arch Manning’s first true road test. Composure, particularly early in the game, could decide momentum.
As kickoff approaches, anticipation continues to build. FOX will roll out a full production, including pregame coverage from the stadium, live look-ins throughout the day, and a broadcast crew that understands the significance of the matchup. The Big Noon Saturday slot has become a fixture for premier games, and this one could set viewership records. College football thrives on these kinds of moments—when giants collide with more than just bragging rights at stake.
In the end, this game is more than just an early-season showdown. It’s a measuring stick for two powerhouse programs, a platform for stars to shine, and a preview of what’s to come in a season filled with promise. Texas vs. Ohio State may not define the entire year, but it will undoubtedly shape how it begins—and how we remember it.
