The air in Columbus back in August 2025 felt heavy, like the humidity was trying to suffocate the 107,000 fans packed into the Shoe. It wasn't just the heat. It was the tension of seeing two of college football's biggest titans, Texas vs. Ohio State, square off for the first time in sixteen years. If you missed it, Ohio State ground out a 14-7 win that felt more like a street fight than a football game.
Arch Manning took some heat for that loss. People were calling for a "panic button" after the Longhorns’ offense stalled out, but honestly, that’s just how these two programs do things. They don't just play; they collide.
The History Nobody Talks About
We always hear about the blue-bloods, but the actual on-field history between the Longhorns and the Buckeyes is surprisingly short. They’ve only played five times. Total.
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Most fans point to the 2005-2006 home-and-home as the "real" start. In 2005, Vince Young basically introduced himself to the national stage by silencing the Ohio Stadium crowd with a late touchdown to Limas Sweed. Texas won 25-22. That win was the catalyst for their national championship run. Without that victory in Columbus, the 4th-and-5 call against USC in the Rose Bowl might never have happened.
The Buckeyes got their revenge a year later in Austin. Troy Smith, who was basically a magician that year, carved up the Longhorns 24-7. It was a #1 vs. #2 matchup that actually lived up to the hype, at least for folks in Columbus.
What Really Happened in 2025
Fast forward to this past season. Ohio State came in as the defending national champions, and Ryan Day was adamant that they weren't "defending" anything—they were attacking.
The game was a defensive masterclass. Julian Sayin, making his first start for the Buckeyes, didn't need to be a hero; he just needed to be efficient. He finished with 126 yards and a touchdown, which sounds modest until you realize how much pressure the Texas front was bringing.
Texas had their chances. Manning threw for 170 yards and a score, but the Longhorns’ ground game was non-existent, averaging a measly 2.3 yards per carry. When you can’t run the ball against a Jim Knowles defense, you’re basically asking for a long afternoon.
The 2026 Rematch in Austin
Mark your calendars for September 12, 2026. The series shifts to DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin.
This isn't just another non-conference game. For Steve Sarkisian, it’s about proving that the 2025 offensive slump was a fluke. For Ohio State, it’s about maintaining dominance over a team that has historically been one of the few to actually challenge them physically.
The series is currently tied 3-2 in favor of Ohio State. If Texas wins in 2026, we’re looking at a dead heat between two programs that combined have over 1,900 wins.
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Key Stats and Realities
- All-Time Series: Ohio State leads 3-2.
- Last Meeting: Ohio State 14, Texas 7 (August 30, 2025).
- The "Cosby" Game: In the 2009 Fiesta Bowl, Colt McCoy hit Quan Cosby for a 26-yard score with 16 seconds left to win 24-21. Buckeyes fans still haven't forgotten that one.
- National Titles: Ohio State has 9 (including 2024); Texas claims 4 consensus titles.
Why This Series Is Different
A lot of people compare Texas vs. Ohio State to matchups like Alabama vs. Michigan, but there’s a different vibe here. It’s a clash of cultures. You’ve got the Midwest "three yards and a cloud of dust" evolution versus the high-flying, "everything is bigger" Texas swagger.
Even though Texas joined the SEC, this game feels like the old-school intersectional matchups that used to define the sport. It's rare. It's loud. And quite frankly, the winner usually ends up in the College Football Playoff.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're planning to head to Austin for the 2026 showdown, start looking at hotels now. Seriously. Austin during a Top 5 matchup is a logistical nightmare.
For the bettors, keep an eye on the "under." Three of the last four games in this series have been slugfests where the defenses dictated the pace. Until Texas proves they can consistently move the ball against the Buckeyes' secondary, the under remains a smart play.
Lastly, watch the development of the young quarterbacks. Julian Sayin and Arch Manning will be seasoned veterans by 2026. This won't be a game of "first-start jitters" anymore; it'll be a high-level chess match between two of the best signal-callers in the country.
Next Steps for the 2026 Season:
- Monitor the Transfer Portal: Both teams are expected to be active this spring to shore up their offensive lines.
- Check the Injury Reports: Ohio State's depth in the secondary was the deciding factor in 2025; see if those starters return.
- Book Travel Early: Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) is notoriously congested during major sporting events; plan for extra travel time.