The wait is finally (almost) over. College football fans won’t have to circle the calendar anymore—No. 1 Texas vs. No. 3 Ohio State is officially here. On Saturday, August 30th, the Buckeyes open their season at home in Columbus with one of the most anticipated matchups of the year. Kickoff is set for noon on FOX (thanks to the brain deads at the network who love to take nice things from us).
This game has everything: Ryan Day vs. Steve Sarkisian, Julian Sayin vs. Arch Manning, blue-chip talent everywhere, and playoff implications before September even hits. Here are five things I want to see in Ohio State’s opener with Texas.
1. Can Ohio State Establish the Run?
Ohio State will need to take the same approach they took against Oregon and Texas last season. In last year’s College Football Playoff, they found success by flipping the script: passing first to set up the run late.
Against Texas, the formula should be the same. Let Julian Sayin get comfortable with play-action, screens, sending guys in motion… creative, but simple ways to get the ball to Jeremiah Smith, Carnell Tate, and Brandon Inniss. Force the Longhorns to play east & west not north & south, back defenders out of the box, and then cash in on the run game once they are guessing and spread out.
Texas’s defensive approach is to not allow explosives over the top so the Buckeyes chances will be limited, but when they do come, they need to hit one or two of them.
2. How Will Julian Sayin Handle the Pressure?
The sophomore is stepping into the fire. His first career start? At home. Against the No. 1 team in the country.
Sayin doesn’t have to be Superman. He just needs to keep drives alive, convert on third downs, and avoid the backbreaking turnover. Mistakes will happen, but leadership and keeping the offense on schedule will matter more. Buckeye fans want to see if Sayin can command the huddle and give Ohio State a chance in the fourth quarter.
3. Are the New Coordinators Ready for Prime Time?
For the first time in the Ryan Day era, both coordinator spots are new:
- Brian Hartline, taking over full offensive duties.
- Matt Patricia, the former NFL head coach, now leading the defense.
It would be crazy to expect perfection in Week 1, but what matters most is whether the units look organized, creative, and connected. Hartline’s playcalling rhythm and Patricia’s defensive adjustments will be under the microscope from the opening drive.
4. Can the Defense Stop the Run and Pressure Arch Manning?
Everyone is talking about Julian Sayin’s debut, but don’t forget—Arch Manning hasn’t played a ton of football either.
Ohio State’s game plan should be clear: stop the Texas run game, force Manning into 2nd-and-long and 3rd-and-long situations, and make him prove he can beat you with his arm. The Buckeyes’ front seven, paired with elite talent like Caleb Downs on the back end, must control the line of scrimmage.
Ohio State’s front 7 might have an advantage against Texas’s offensive line. Fall camp reports have stated the Longhorns have had offensive line issues replacing guys to the 2025 NFL draft.
If Ohio State can make Manning uncomfortable, the chances of a defensive turnover skyrocket which could lead to being the difference.
5. Just Win, Baby
At the end of the day, all that matters is the scoreboard. Ryan Day summed it up best: “Find a way to have one more point than Texas.”
Yes, it’s the first game for a new QB. Yes, there are new coordinators on both sides of the ball. But there’s also no shortage of talent returning to Columbus. The Buckeyes don’t need to look flawless—they just need to look tough enough to outlast the Longhorns in what feels like a playoff game in August.
Final Thoughts
Ohio State vs. Texas is the type of matchup fans dream about. Two blue blood programs, two young star quarterbacks, and enough storylines to fill an entire season. For Ohio State, it’s about answering questions, setting the tone, and—most importantly—coming out 1 point better than the Longhorns.
Buckle up, Buckeye Nation. It’s (almost) go time.
