Full Breakdown
Texas vs. Ohio State: Steve Sarkisian’s Blueprint for the Season-Opening Showdown
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
The No. 4 Texas Longhorns host the No. 1 Ohio State Buckeyes Saturday night at Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Kickoff is 6:30 p.m. CT on ABC. Texas is 1-0 after a 59-7 win over Texas State; Ohio State is 1-0 following a 56-3 victory over Ball State.
Background & Context
Texas has not won a national championship since 2005. Since Sarkisian took over in 2021, the Longhorns have improved recruiting and NIL presence but remain winless against Ohio State (0-5) and Ryan Day (0-2). The Buckeyes, national champions in 2024, return a veteran-heavy roster for 2026 with former NFL coordinator Arthur Smith as offensive coordinator and defensive stalwart Matt Patricia.
Data & Statistics
- Texas’ record against top-10 opponents under Sarkisian: 4-8; top-5: 2-6.
- Jeremiah Smith (Ohio State WR) has 7 catches on 13 targets for 46 yards in two career games versus Texas; 164 catches for 2,663 yards and 29 TDs overall.
- Arch Manning (Texas QB) is the preseason Heisman favorite and leads a deep receiving corps.
Official Statements & Responses
Sarkisian framed the matchup as an earned moment for Texas, noting the national spotlight reflects recent progress. He said the team will treat the game “like any other” while recognizing the chance to compete with the nation’s top team.
Regarding preparation, Sarkisian said the Buckeyes’ Ball State tape offers limited insight, likening the approach to an NFL preseason where early-season schemes differ from later games. He indicated the staff will lean heavily on film from prior seasons to anticipate Ohio State’s tendencies, while remaining ready to adjust in-game.
Verbatim Quotes
- “First of all, look at this. Like, this is what this is about. Look at this crowd,” — Steve Sarkisian
- “I promise you, what they ran last week against Ball State, we're not going to get,” — Steve Sarkisian
Timeline
- July 23 2026 – Sarkisian discusses needed changes to finally beat Ohio State during SEC Football Kickoff Media Day in Tampa.
- September 9 2026 – Sarkisian predicts close to 20 million viewers for the Texas-Ohio State game.
Why It Matters
A victory would give Texas a marquee win to bolster its College Football Playoff résumé and validate recent financial investments. A loss would extend Texas’ winless streak against Ohio State and increase scrutiny of Sarkisian’s ability to lead the program to a national title.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the impact of LSU’s roster controversy on Texas’s preparation; Newsweek notes the SEC’s attempt to expel LSU, while other outlets do not mention a direct effect. Precise viewership projections beyond Sarkisian’s estimate are not provided.
What’s Next
The game’s outcome will shape Texas’s schedule outlook, influencing upcoming road trips to Tennessee and the Cotton Bowl against Oklahoma, as well as the broader race for a top seed in the 12-team College Football Playoff.