The Ohio State football program has won two straight games over Texas in the last couple of years. In 2024, they beat the Longhorns in the College Football Playoff semifinals 28-14 en route to eventually winning the national championship. Last season, they took them down 14-7 in the Shoe in Week 1.
This year, the Ohio State Buckeyes will travel to Austin to take on Texas. It will happen in Week 2, so the Buckeyes will have a chance to play a warm-up game this year. That could help them as they try to once again beat them, showing complete ownership over Steve Sarkisian.
Joel Klatt understands just how big this game is for both teams. While FOX won't be on the call for this one, as ESPN will be in charge of the broadcast for this night game, Klatt believes that the stakes for this game could not be higher for both programs early in the year.
Joel Klatt believes Ohio State football vs. Texas has massive ramifications
While speaking on the Joel Klatt Show, Klatt explained why he thinks the stakes are so high in this game.
"The loser of this game is behind the eight-ball. Ryan Day and Steve Sarkisian know exactly how important that game was to their teams and their programs a year ago. Look at what Ohio State was able to do. They had eight new starters on defense. They generated a ton of confidence in their brand-new quarterback, Julian Sayin, and their new defensive coordinator, Matt Patricia, based on what they were able to do and how they controlled the game against Texas...so a loss in this game, each of these teams is going to be fighting uphill, and you're talking about major brands that do not expect to miss the playoffs."
Each program will likely be ranked in the top five in the preseason polls. It wouldn't be shocking if these two teams were in the top three, just as they were last season. It will be a baromter for both programs to see if they are truly considered national championship contenders.
Ohio State can afford an early loss, but an early win gives them a massive cushion
Of course, the Buckeyes can afford a loss in Austin in this game. Losing on the road at night to a top-five team early in the season is nothing to be ashamed about. Still, an early win would give them a huge cushion for later in the season. It's going to be a brutal road for Ohio State.
The schedule is not kind to them. They have road games against Iowa, USC, and Indiana this year. They also have to play Oregon and TTUN at home. Quite frankly, this is going to be one of the hardest schedules that the Buckeyes have had to face in the Ryan Day era.
Fans don't care. They will expect the Buckeyes to make the CFP for the third straight year. If this team is as good as they should be, they should be able to handle this gauntlet of a schedule.
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