As the countdown to the 2025 college football season intensifies, few matchups generate more buzz than Texas vs. Ohio State. Two blue-blood programs, two powerhouse brands, and two rabid fanbases will collide in Columbus in a game that promises fireworks and national playoff implications from the very first whistle. But as anticipation builds, it was Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian who set the tone early, delivering a confident—and borderline defiant—message ahead of the showdown in The Horseshoe.
“We’re not backing down,” Sarkisian said during a media session following summer workouts. “We’re going into Columbus with one goal: to win. Period. This team has trained all offseason for moments like this. The stage, the crowd, the pressure—we embrace it. We’re not walking into that stadium intimidated. We’re walking in prepared.”
That statement sent shockwaves across the college football landscape. For Sarkisian, it wasn’t just typical offseason bluster. It was a calculated signal that Texas is entering a new era—an era where fearlessness and expectation replace caution and excuses. And it comes at a crucial time, with the Longhorns fully immersed in SEC culture and mindset, leaving behind the Big 12 as they chase national prominence in their new conference and beyond.
The stage couldn’t be more fitting. The Longhorns, coming off an appearance in the College Football Playoff and a top-five finish in 2024, are riding a wave of momentum under Sarkisian, who has quietly assembled one of the most complete and dangerous rosters in the country. Meanwhile, Ohio State, led by Ryan Day, enters the year with its own sense of urgency, looking to rebound after a turbulent end to the previous season and reassert itself atop the Big Ten and national hierarchy.
All eyes will be on Columbus when the two titans clash in early September. And Sarkisian’s words only raise the stakes further.
“We respect Ohio State. They’ve got an incredible tradition and a lot of talent,” Sarkisian said. “But this isn’t about them. It’s about us. It’s about what we do, how we prepare, how we execute. If we play to our standard, we can beat anyone, anywhere.”
It’s a message that resonates deeply within the Longhorns’ locker room, where returning stars and incoming transfers have bought into a culture of discipline, accountability, and competitive fire. Quarterback Arch Manning, now a junior and firmly entrenched as the leader of the offense, echoed his coach’s sentiment in a recent interview.
“Coach Sark’s been preaching it all offseason—we’re not scared of anybody,” Manning said. “Ohio State’s going to be loud, hostile, and tough. But we’re built for games like that. We’re going in with the mindset that this is just step one in our mission. We’ve got big goals.”
Manning’s evolution has been central to Texas’ resurgence. Once heralded as the future of the program, he now represents its present dominance. With a cannon arm, high IQ, and icy composure, Manning has transformed from promising prospect to potential Heisman contender. Surrounded by an arsenal of explosive playmakers and protected by one of the nation’s top offensive lines, the Longhorns offense is expected to be among the most lethal in the country.
But it’s not just about offense. Texas has quietly built a defense capable of standing toe-to-toe with anyone, including the vaunted Buckeye attack. Anchored by returning All-American linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. and a deep, experienced secondary, the Longhorns bring a physical, aggressive approach that reflects the SEC identity they’ve adopted. Defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski has emphasized one thing above all this offseason: toughness.
“You can’t win big games if you’re soft,” Kwiatkowski said bluntly. “We know Ohio State has firepower. They always do. But we’ve got a group that’s hungry, that loves to hit, that’s ready for a street fight. That’s the kind of defense we’re bringing to Columbus.”
For Sarkisian, who has weathered both triumphs and setbacks during his coaching journey, the matchup is personal. It represents a chance to not only validate his program’s rise but to showcase that Texas football is truly back—and ready to compete at the highest level.
“This isn’t a ‘prove-it’ game for us,” Sarkisian emphasized. “We already know who we are. This is a statement game, no doubt. But we’re not trying to convince ourselves—we’re trying to remind everyone else.”
And yet, the stakes go beyond bragging rights. In a year where the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff format introduces new possibilities, early-season matchups like this will carry added weight. A win in Columbus could catapult Texas into the national spotlight and establish them as the team to beat in the SEC. A loss, on the other hand, could expose weaknesses and threaten their path forward.
On the flip side, Ohio State faces its own kind of pressure. With Michigan riding a historic three-year win streak over the Buckeyes and Ryan Day under increasing scrutiny, a convincing win over Texas would go a long way in restoring confidence and setting the tone for a bounce-back campaign. The Buckeyes are expected to unveil a new-look offense behind quarterback Julian Sayin, the Alabama transfer and former five-star recruit. With weapons like wide receiver Emeka Egbuka and tight end Jelani Thurman, Day’s offense could test the Longhorns’ defense from the jump.
Still, Sarkisian isn’t flinching. His message is clear: Texas is done playing the underdog. Done asking for respect. Done easing into big games. The Longhorns are coming to Columbus with a target on their backs and fire in their bellies.
“We’ve been building toward this moment for years,” Sarkisian said. “Our players have sacrificed too much to let it slip away now. Every rep, every film session, every second of the offseason—it’s all been about being ready for this. We’re not going to blink.”
The confidence isn’t misplaced. Sarkisian has quietly become one of the most respected minds in college football, known for his offensive genius and player development. But perhaps more importantly, he’s matured as a leader—instilling belief, setting high expectations, and refusing to settle for mediocrity.
That transformation is now reflected in every facet of the Texas program. From recruiting dominance to weight room intensity, the Longhorns are no longer trying to find their identity—they’ve forged one. And on September 6, in front of 100,000 roaring Buckeye fans, they’ll have the chance to show the world exactly who they are.
“We’re not going to Columbus to participate,” Sarkisian concluded. “We’re going to dominate.”
Whether that happens remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: the message has been sent. Loud and clear.
The Longhorns are coming. And they’re not coming quietly.
