Ohio State Buckeyes Face Tough Road Ahead with Back-to-Back Texas Longhorns Matchups
Columbus, OH — The Ohio State Buckeyes are heading into a challenging two-year stretch as they prepare for consecutive matchups against the surging Texas Longhorns, a series that could have major implications for national rankings and College Football Playoff positioning.
The Longhorns, riding a wave of momentum under head coach Steve Sarkisian, have reasserted themselves as a national powerhouse. With a roster full of NFL-caliber talent and an offense that ranked among the best in the nation last season, Texas poses a significant threat to any team—especially one with championship aspirations like Ohio State.
The first of the two matchups is set for this fall in Austin, where a hostile environment and scorching Texas heat await the Buckeyes. In 2026, the Longhorns will travel north to Columbus for the rematch, giving Ohio State a chance to strike back on home turf.
Ohio State head coach Ryan Day acknowledged the difficulty of the road ahead. “We want to play the best, and right now, Texas is in that conversation,” Day said. “It’s a great challenge, and one we’re preparing for every day.”
For the Buckeyes, the series will be a test of depth, quarterback play, and defensive improvement—three areas under constant scrutiny as Ohio State looks to return to the national title game. Meanwhile, Texas sees the games as a proving ground for its return to national dominance in the SEC era.
Fans from both programs are already circling the dates. With playoff stakes likely on the line, the Ohio State–Texas series is shaping up to be one of college football’s must-watch storylines over the next two seasons.
