Week 2 gives college football one of its first heavyweight tests, and it comes with a familiar matchup: No. 4 Texas and No. 1 Ohio State meeting again, this time in Austin after the Buckeyes handled the Longhorns in last year’s season opener.
Both teams arrived here off lopsided wins over Group of Six opponents, but the opener did plenty to reveal about each side. Texas showed off its new pieces, especially receiver Cam Coleman.
Ohio State, meanwhile, unveiled a defense with eight new starters and still looked very much on schedule despite losing offensive coordinator Brian Hartline to a head coaching job and 11 players to the NFL Draft. The Buckeyes also have the benefit of Julian Sayin back under center and Jeremiah Smith at receiver, and that combination keeps the offense dangerous.
Last year’s meeting in Columbus ended in a 14-7 Ohio State win. Arch Manning took time to settle in that night, though he did give Texas a chance late. Now the Longhorns return at least 13 starters across offense and defense and enter Saturday as a slight favorite.
Texas has gone into the portal and added real juice at the skill spots. Cam Coleman, an Auburn transfer and former five-star prospect, headlines that group after the Tigers never fully tapped his potential.
Texas also brought in Arizona State running back Raleek Brown, who rushed for 1,141 yards last season, and landed NC State back Hollywood Smothers away from Alabama. Smothers averaged 7 yards per carry in the season opener last week.
On defense, former Pittsburgh linebacker Rasheem Biles made an immediate impact with an interception and five tackles.
Quarterback play is the other obvious pressure point in this one. Sayin has gone 5-0 in five road starts in his career, while Manning is 9-0 in home starts.
Manning has thrown 40 touchdown passes at home, the most by any FBS player since 2024. Sayin’s road work has been just as notable in its own way: his 78.5% completion rate is the best by any FBS quarterback with at least five starts on the road this century.
There’s also a rare streak on the line for Texas. A non-conference opponent has not beaten the Longhorns in three straight seasons since 1985-88, when Oklahoma did it.
Ohio State beat Texas 28-14 in the 2024 CFP Semifinals and then 14-7 in the 2025 season opener. As for the Buckeyes on the road against SEC teams, they have played only one such game, a 13-13 tie at LSU in 1987.
Texas can also make a statement against the AP’s top team. A win Saturday would be the Longhorns’ first over No. 1 since 2008, when they beat Oklahoma 45-35. Texas is 5-12 against the No. 1 team.
The line of scrimmage could decide it. Ohio State managed only 35 rushing yards at 2.1 per carry in the first half against Ball State last week, then found its footing and rolled for 202 yards after halftime.
Defensively, the Buckeyes piled up 23 quarterback pressures in Week 1, which ranked among the highest totals in the FBS, according to Pro Football Focus. Texas, for its part, allowed only two pressures, including one sack, against Texas State.
The pick here leans Texas. Manning was rushed into the spotlight in Week 1 last season and got better as the game went on, which naturally raised questions about how different that matchup might have looked later in the year.
Now he has more help around him, a better feel for running the offense, and the backing of 100,000-plus fans at DKR. Texas covers and beats Ohio State, 1.5.
In Other News...
Ohio State's Playoff Path Suddenly Looks Better Than Fans Expected
A dominant win over Ball State did more than pad Ohio States record, it helped clear a little more room in the playoff picture as other top teams around the country delivered mixed results. That kind of early-season movement matters for a Buckeyes team that entered the year with big expectations and is now watching the national board closely, knowing every Saturday can shift both perception and postseason positioning.
The bigger test, of course, is still ahead, and this weeks slate offers plenty of chances for the playoff race to get scrambled again. Games like Missouri vs. Kansas, Oregon vs. Oklahoma State, Oklahoma vs. Michigan, Alabama vs. Kentucky and Arizona vs. BYU all carry some level of ripple effect for Ohio State, whether it is about opponent strength, conference standing or the broader pecking order the Buckeyes are trying to navigate. [Read more 🡒]
Ohio State Texas Hype Just Reached Another Level Before Kickoff
The buildup to Texas and Ohio State already had the feel of a heavyweight event, and ESPNs College GameDay only added to it Saturday morning. Before the No. 4 Longhorns face the No. 1 Buckeyes in a rematch of last years meeting, a fan named Connor stepped into the field goal challenge and turned the pregame stage into something even bigger.
Connor won $1.2 million on the kick, with the prize set to be split between him and a charity called Building Tomorrow. It was the kind of moment that reminded everyone why these marquee matchups carry more than just rankings and records, with the spotlight stretching well beyond the sideline as kickoff approaches. [Read more 🡒]
Lee Corso Update Will Hit Florida State Fans Right In The Heart
Lee Corso has stayed close to the college football world even after stepping away from ESPNs College GameDay, and his recent reunion with Kirk Herbstreit in Orlando was another reminder of how much he still means to the sport. Corso retired after the 2025 season, ending a run that included one final headgear pick in Columbus, and since then his public appearances have been rare enough to feel like events, from an honor at Florida State to this latest catch-up with a longtime broadcast partner.
Herbstreits update carried the familiar mix of admiration and concern that has followed Corsos post-retirement moments. The former analyst may be dealing with the wear and tear that comes with age, but he has remained engaged with the game and still commands the affection of fans and colleagues who grew up with his personality on Saturdays. For Florida State fans, the sight of Corso back in the conversation is the kind of touchpoint that hits home, especially with his place in college football history already secure. [Read more 🡒]