AUSTIN, Texas -- Ohio State has arrived on the Forty Acres for a Week 2 matchup with Texas that could define the CFP field.
In anticipation of the No. 1 vs. No. 4 matchup, multiple promotional events popped up on campus. A slew of fans and students showed up. Some had strong opinions on the game.
CELSIUS® Energy Drinks and ESPN College GameDay set up shop on the South Mall by the UT Tower on Friday afternoon for a few fan-centric events. CELSIUS Energy Drinks recently announced a partnership with ESPN College GameDay host Kirk Herbstriet.
The industry-leading energy drink brand hosted the Traveling CELSIUS Combine and the CELSIUS-led Run Clubs. The two events will be wherever College GameDay is, so Columbus looms large as a future location. Stay tuned for that, Buckeye fans.
At the CELSIUS Combine, after taking part in the various skills competitions -- there was a "racing the reaction wall" coordination test, a pull-up challenge, a vertical jump challenge, and a passing accuracy challenge -- several students shared their thoughts on whether or not their Longhorns could pull off the win as slight favorites at the spread.
"I fear they're going to be offensive and very aggressive"
Perhaps the star of the CELSIUS Combine, a New Jersey native and UT student named Olajide, fears the offensive onslaught Ohio State is bringing to the dance.
"They're a great team. I fear they're going to be very offensive, very aggressive, and very straightforward. They've been a great team foundation-wise. And I know they're looking to make noise, especially coming into an SEC environment," Olajide said on OSU.
The six-foot-six Olajide recorded a 29-inch vertical. Perhaps Sean Miller needs to make a call.
With veteran NFL play-caller Arthur Smith at the helm, 2025 Heisman finalist Julian Sayin running his system under and behind center, and a receiving corps led by projected top-five 2027 NFL draft pick Jeremiah Smith, it's understandable that Olajide is anxious about the Buckeyes' offense.
Ultimately, though, Olajide backed his Burnt Orange, believing in the power of a Texas football team supported by over 100,000 screaming fans to get the job done.
"I fear no one"
Addison, a UT student born and raised in Austin, believes that the Horns' home-field advantage will be too strong for Ohio State to overcome.
Addison was confident in her Longhorns riding an unmatched atmosphere to victory.
"I fear no one," she said confidently when I asked who on the Buckeyes she feared.
"UT has such strong pride. It's the heart of Austin. I've grown up here my whole life. My parents were die-hard UT fans. They raised me right. Hook'em Horns. So really, when you get into DKR, the feeling of the fans, the Longhorn Band, there's just an aura in the air you can't top."
The Longhorns don't have a strong home record against the No. 1 team in the country over the years, but historical stats don't apply to this roster. Even the last Texas team to lose to the top-ranked team (Alabama in 2022) doesn't have a single player on the roster now.
Sometimes, the difference in a game like this is a few penalties called on an opposing offensive line that jumps because of the overbearing crowd noise. Perhaps DKR Stadium could force some pre-snap miscommunications between Sayin and center Carson Hinzman, or left tackle Ian Moore could jump early once or twice in just his second game starting on the blindside.
Ohio State can break hearts all over Austin
This game has been on the minds of most UT students since arriving back on campus in August.
As told by a UT student and Houston native named Sai, Ohio State-Texas has been a hot topic of conversation and an ice-breaker in class.
"Every single class I've been to for the past two weeks, this has been a top-three conversation starter. This is one of the most anticipated games of the season for sure," Sai said.
With so much on the line, a loss would be more crushing to the Longhorns than to the Buckeyes. Still, neither team wants to take a loss in Week 2, especially when a win can go a long way in helping either team make the CFP even with three losses.
This game is that big. The stakes are that high.
College football may have returned last weekend, but college football will be fully back for Buckeye Nation at kickoff.
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