The price tag says plenty about what Ohio State and Texas are bringing to Austin in Week 2. As of Monday morning, the cheapest way in to see the Buckeyes and Longhorns square off was $522 for a single ticket, a number that matches the buzz around a Saturday night matchup loaded with playoff-level expectations.
This is the kind of early-season game that feels bigger than September. Ohio State is heading into another season with a roster built to chase a title, and the Buckeyes will try to back up last year’s lopsided win over Texas. That meeting in Columbus left the Longhorns scrambling from the start, and now Texas gets its chance to answer on its own field.
For the Longhorns, the setting matters almost as much as the opponent. They’ll have home-field advantage in Austin and a chance to make a statement against one of the sport’s top teams. Arch Manning only adds to the spotlight as he prepares to guide Texas into one of the most important games on its schedule.
The quarterback matchup gives this one extra juice, but it’s not the only reason the game has drawn so much attention. Both teams also feature elite receiver talent. Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith is already a massive favorite, while Texas’ prized transfer portal acquisition Cam Coleman should put himself in te conversation this year.
With both teams ranked in the top five, Saturday night looks like much more than a routine Week 2 test. It has the feel of a College Football Playoff preview, and maybe even a glimpse of a possible rematch when the postseason arrives.
In Other News...
Ohio State Looks Strong But Michigan Already Has A Big Ten Problem
After Week 1, the Big Ten mostly stayed in line with expectations, and Ohio State was right where it wanted to be near the top after a decisive opening win. Indiana joined the Buckeyes in holding onto the conferences upper tier, a sign that the leagues early order is already taking shape even if most teams still have plenty to prove.
Michigan, meanwhile, created the first real headache in the standings, squeezing out a narrow and controversial win that left more questions than answers. Rutgers also took a hit with an upset loss, and with early-season results already nudging the rankings around, the next few weeks should tell us far more about which teams are actually built to stay there. [Read more 🡒]
Ohio State Is Suddenly In Play For Two Huge 2028 Targets
Ohio States season-opening rout of Ball State did more than get the Buckeyes off to a fast start on the field. It also gave the staff a chance to showcase the program to a sizable group of visitors, and the early returns in the 2028 recruiting cycle are already starting to matter as the class begins to take shape around both sides of the ball.
Among the names worth tracking are five-star wide receiver Braylon Clark and four-star safety Jalen Flowers, both of whom have Ohio State among their top schools. The Buckeyes already have commitments from several offensive and defensive prospects, and the staff is clearly pushing to build on that foundation while the 2028 board is still forming. [Read more 🡒]
Michigan Already Has A Problem Ohio State Fans Will Love
The first AP Top 25 poll after Week 1 already delivered an early jolt in the Big Ten race, and it was one Ohio State fans were happy to see. Michigan, which entered the season at No. 16, dropped out of the rankings after a shaky opener while the Buckeyes and Texas both handled their business with dominant wins.
Michigans immediate task is straightforward, even if the pressure around it is not: stack together convincing performances and avoid leaving any doubt for the poll voters. After the opening-week escape against Western Michigan, the Wolverines do not have much margin for error, and they will need a much cleaner run in the weeks ahead to climb back into the Top 25. [Read more 🡒]