With the countdown to college football season officially underway, fans are already circling some of the biggest matchups on the calendar—and few games carry more anticipation than the Week 1 showdown between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Texas Longhorns. Though kickoff is still weeks away, early predictions are starting to roll in, and ESPN’s Heather Dinich has offered her take on this massive opening weekend clash.
The upcoming game between Ohio State and Texas is being billed as one of the most significant matchups of the early college football season. It’s expected to feature two top-five teams and could even end up as a top-three battle when the preseason rankings are finalized. With both programs bringing elite talent and national championship aspirations into the 2025 season, all eyes will be on Ohio Stadium in Columbus when these powerhouse programs collide.
Set for Noon ET on Saturday, August 30, this game is likely to serve as a tone-setter for the entire college football landscape. For Ohio State, it’s a chance to show the nation they’re primed for another title run. For Texas, it’s an opportunity to prove that their recent resurgence is real and that they belong among the sport’s elite once again.
Heather Dinich, ESPN’s senior college football writer and analyst, has weighed in early on the matchup. While acknowledging that both teams have loaded rosters and impressive coaching staffs, Dinich is giving the edge to the Buckeyes—at least for now. Her reasoning is grounded in Ohio State’s depth, experience, and home-field advantage at the Horseshoe.
“Playing in Columbus is never easy, and the Buckeyes are stacked this year,” Dinich said during an ESPN College Football segment. “Texas is going to be very good, but Ohio State just has so many weapons on both sides of the ball. Plus, they’ve been in these big opening-week matchups before. They know how to handle the moment.”
Dinich also pointed to Ohio State’s quarterback situation, which appears to be one of the strongest in the country. With a seasoned signal-caller leading the offense and a defense that’s been retooled to address last season’s shortcomings, the Buckeyes are poised to start fast out of the gate.
On the Texas side, Dinich acknowledged that the Longhorns have made significant strides under head coach Steve Sarkisian. Their recruiting has improved dramatically, and they’ve brought in talent capable of competing at the highest level. However, facing Ohio State in their own backyard presents a different kind of challenge.
As Big Ten Media Days approach and fall camp looms just around the corner for both teams, the hype surrounding this matchup continues to build. Fans are eager to see how each squad performs under pressure when the bright lights of college football return on August 30.
For now, Heather Dinich has made her early pick clear: Ohio State has the advantage in this heavyweight clash. But with several weeks of preparation still to go, there’s plenty of time for storylines to develop, rosters to finalize, and momentum to shift before these two titans officially meet on the field.