Ohio State vs. Texas 2025: An Epic Showdown Kicked Off by a Kickoff Time Controversy
Get ready, college football fans! On August 30, 2025, the Ohio State Buckeyes and Texas Longhorns are set to throw down in a massive season opener at Ohio Stadium in Columbus. This isn’t just any game—it’s a rematch of their heart-pounding 2025 Cotton Bowl playoff clash, and it’s got all the makings of a classic. But hold up, there’s a catch: the game’s noon kickoff time has fans, especially Buckeye Nation, up in arms, turning what should be pure hype into a heated debate about scheduling in today’s game. Let’s dive into the matchup and the drama stirring up the college football world.
The Game: Buckeyes vs. Longhorns, Round Two
Picture this: The Horseshoe packed to the brim, scarlet and gray clashing with burnt orange, and two college football giants ready to battle. Ohio State, fresh off their 2025 national title run, is loaded with talent. We’re talking freshman sensation Jeremiah Smith torching defenses at wide receiver and Jack Sawyer leading a defensive line that’s straight-up nasty. The Buckeyes owned Texas in the Cotton Bowl, 28-14, thanks to Sawyer’s clutch strip-sack and touchdown return that sent them to the championship.
On the other side, Texas is hungry for revenge. Now fully settled in the SEC, the Longhorns are rolling with Arch Manning taking over at quarterback after Quinn Ewers’ exit. With studs like Colin Simmons wreaking havoc on defense and Jahdae Barron locking down the secondary, Texas is no slouch. This game’s a big deal—it’s Texas’ first trip to Columbus since 2005, and with the return match in Austin set for 2026, both teams are out to make a statement. Expect a ton of future NFL talent on the field, maybe two dozen draft picks, making this a must-watch for any football junkie.
The Kickoff Kerfuffle: Why Noon?
Here’s where things get spicy. The game’s set for noon ET on FOX’s “Big Noon Kickoff,” and let me tell you, Ohio State fans are not happy. A matchup this huge screams primetime—think 8 p.m., stadium lights blazing, 100,000 fans screaming their lungs out. Instead, we’re getting a lunchtime kickoff, and Buckeye fans are losing it. Word on the street (and by street, I mean X) is that Ohio State tried to slide the game to Sunday night, August 31, for a standalone primetime slot. Texas, though, said, “Nah, we’re good with noon.” Cue the outrage.
Ohio State fans are calling it a travesty. One X post put it bluntly: “Texas @ Ohio State at noon to open the season? That’s not just a diss to football—it’s a diss to humanity!” Another fan griped, “Texas gets to dodge the Horseshoe’s night game madness, but we’ll probably get a night game in Austin next year. Not cool.” The vibe is that a noon start robs the game of that electric, prime-time energy Ohio Stadium is famous for, and some are pointing fingers at Texas for sticking with the early slot to avoid the full Buckeye fan frenzy.
Texas fans, though, are clapping back. They argue it’s just business—Ohio State would probably do the same if the roles were flipped. One Inside Texas post on X nailed it: “Texas said no to moving the game, just like OSU would if they had to travel back on a short week. Buckeye fans, take it up with your Big Ten and FOX’s Big Noon obsession.” Fair point, but it doesn’t cool the tempers in Columbus.
Why It’s a Big Deal: TV Rules Everything
This whole mess shines a light on a bigger issue in college football: TV networks calling the shots. FOX’s deal with the Big Ten loves these noon games, raking in viewers while the rest of the country’s still eating breakfast. But fans? They’re over it. Noon games just don’t hit the same as a night game with the crowd roaring under the lights. Ohio State fans are especially salty after playing six straight noon games to end 2024, and now their season opener’s getting the same treatment. It’s not just about vibes—there’s a competitive edge at stake. Texas gets a quieter Horseshoe, while Ohio State might face a wild night crowd in Austin next year. That stings.
What’s at Stake and Why You Should Care
Look, controversy aside, this game is gonna be fire. Ohio State wants to prove they’re still the kings of the Big Ten’s new 18-team juggernaut. A win over Texas sets them up as CFP favorites from the jump. Texas, meanwhile, is out to show the SEC—and the nation—they’re ready to roll with the big dogs. A road win in Columbus would be a massive feather in Steve Sarkisian’s cap and a coming-out party for Arch Manning. After the Cotton Bowl, where Ohio State’s defense manhandled Texas and Sawyer’s heroics stole the show, you know both teams are bringing their A-game.
Wrapping It Up
Ohio State vs. Texas on August 30, 2025, is more than a game—it’s a heavyweight fight to kick off the college football season. The noon kickoff drama has fans bickering, but when the whistle blows, it’s all about what happens on the field. Will Ohio State keep their home dominance alive? Can Texas pull off the upset and flip the script? One thing’s for sure: this showdown’s gonna have us all glued to our screens, whether it’s at noon or midnight. So grab your snacks, throw on your team colors, and get ready for a banger in Columbus.
Sources