Overview

• Kickoff is noon ET at Ohio Stadium in the teams’ first Columbus meeting in 20 years, a rematch of January’s semifinal Ohio State won on a late defensive score.
• Ohio State starts sophomore Julian Sayin in his first career start after earning the job in camp.
• Texas quarterback Arch Manning makes his first true road start as the preseason No. 1 begins its season under Steve Sarkisian.
• Lines have flipped between slight favorites on both sides with totals clustered around 46.5–47.5, and many analysts project a defense-tilted game.
• The Buckeyes break in new coordinators Brian Hartline (offense) and Matt Patricia (defense) after heavy NFL departures, with stars Jeremiah Smith and Caleb Downs viewed as key anchors.