Historic Season Opener: No. 1 Texas Longhorns Set to Face No. 3 Ohio State Buckeyes

In an unprecedented kickoff to the 2025 college football season, the top-ranked Texas Longhorns will face the third-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes on August 30 at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. This marks the first time in history that the top two preseason teams meet in their season opener. The game is set for a noon ET kickoff and will be broadcast nationally on FOX.

This matchup serves as a rematch of the College Football Playoff semifinal held on January 10, 2025, where Ohio State secured a 28-14 victory over Texas at the Cotton Bowl. In that game, Ohio State's defensive end Jack Sawyer made a pivotal play by forcing a fumble and returning it 83 yards for a touchdown, effectively sealing the win for the Buckeyes.

Despite being ranked No. 1, Texas enters the game as a 2.5-point underdog, marking the first time a top-ranked team has been an underdog in a season opener since at least 1978.

Texas achieved the No. 1 ranking in the Associated Press (AP) preseason Top 25 poll for the first time in history, narrowly edging out Penn State by five points. This rise is attributed to the team's strong performance under coach Steve Sarkisian, winning 25 of their last 30 games, and the anticipated debut of starting quarterback Arch Manning.

Ohio State, the defending national champions, are ranked No. 3 in the AP preseason poll. The Buckeyes are known for their consistent performance, with a record of 129-17 since 2014, the fewest losses in the 11-season College Football Playoff era. Head coach Ryan Day boasts a winning percentage of .875, leading the nation.

The game is scheduled for a noon ET kickoff as part of FOX's "Big Noon Kickoff." This scheduling decision has sparked controversy among fans, particularly those of Ohio State, who feel that a matchup of this magnitude warrants a primetime slot. Reports suggest that Ohio State attempted to move the game to a Sunday night primetime slot, but Texas preferred the noon kickoff.

The weather forecast for Columbus, Ohio, on August 30, 2025, indicates partly sunny conditions with temperatures ranging from 66°F (19°C) at noon to 73°F (23°C) by 4 p.m. These conditions are favorable for both players and fans attending the game.

This game is expected to draw significant national attention, not only due to the teams' rankings and recent history but also because it sets the tone for the 2025 college football season. The matchup highlights the increasing competitiveness and parity in college football, as well as the growing influence of television networks in scheduling high-profile games.

As the Longhorns and Buckeyes prepare to face off, fans and analysts alike are eager to see how this historic season opener will unfold, potentially shaping the trajectory of both teams' seasons.