Longhorns Country

Texas Longhorns vs. Ohio State Buckeyes Matchup Set for Big Noon Kickoff

The Texas Longhorns might see an early kickoff time versus the Ohio State Buckeyes to open up the 2025 season.

Emma Hutchinson

Texas Longhorns receiver Ryan Wingo (5) runs the ball during the College Football Playoff semifinal game against Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium on Friday, Jan. 10, 2024 in Arlington, Texas.
Texas Longhorns receiver Ryan Wingo (5) runs the ball during the College Football Playoff semifinal game against Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium on Friday, Jan. 10, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. / Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
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The Texas Longhorns are set to open their 2025 football season against the defending national champion Ohio State Buckeyes in what is likely to be one of the most anticipated college football games of the season.

After the Buckeyes handed the Longhorns their losing blow in the College Football Playoff Semifinals last season, all eyes will be on this stellar rematch, especially with the debut of Texas starting quarterback Arch Manning versus a yet-to-be-named starting quarterback for Ohio State.

To add fuel to the fire, Ohio State has already locked in a No. 1 preseason standing, while Texas trails at No. 2 by ESPN.

Ohio State Buckeyes
Ohio State Buckeyes running back Quinshon Judkins (1) celebrates his touchdown run against Texas Longhorns in the fourth quarter of the Cotton Bowl Classic during the College Football Playoff semifinal game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on January, 10, 2025. / Kyle Robertson / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The magnitude of this contest has not only captured the attention of those sporting the burnt orange or bright red, but the likes of Fox Network.

According to reports from Eric Nahlin of InsideTexas, Fox is expected to broadcast the Texas versus Ohio State game on its Big Noon Kickoff slate, beginning at 11 a.m. CT on Aug. 30.

FOX decides the weeks it gets first dibs for a Big Noon Kickoff time, and the Longhorns facing off against the Buckeyes is a matchup that shouldn't be overlooked during a busy Week 1 schedule.

An early kickoff time usually isn't the most ideal for fans, especially at the beginning of the season, but both Ohio State and Texas have dealt with multiple morning games in the past. The Buckeyes competed in seven noon ET games last season, six of them in consecutive weeks, while the Longhorns only saw three 11 a.m. CT games.

With the matchup being held in Columbus, an environment that will surely be rowdy to welcome Texas, having a Big Noon Kickoff window might alleviate the crowd. Or, the over-100,000 capacity stadium could see a packed house with FOX creating an incentive with its broadcast.

But Texas isn't a complete stranger to what a Big 10 environment entails. The Longhorns took on the Michigan Wolverines, Ohio State's rival and then-reigning national champions in Ann Arbor last year during Week 2. Texas ended up leaving a crowd of 111,170 people stunned in a 31-12 victory.

It's unknown when exactly FOX will announce its Big Noon Kickoff contestants, but Texas and Ohio State make a strong case for earning a spot, and head coach Steve Sarkisian is eager to see his Longhorns hit the ground running come August.

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Emma Hutchinson
EMMA HUTCHINSON

Emma Hutchinson is a senior journalism student at the University of Texas at Austin, covering the Texas Longhorns for SI/Fan Nation since June of 2024. Her previous sports journalism experience includes writing and editing for The Daily Texan, where she covered Texas athletic programs such as softball, women’s basketball, football, and baseball. Originally from Washington, D.C., Emma now resides in the Dallas metroplex. She enjoys rooting for the Mavericks, Rangers, and Stars, as well as supporting the Nationals and Commanders.

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