There will be no easing into the college football season for Ohio State like last year.
The Buckeyes ran roughshod through Mid-American Conference teams Akron (52-6) and Western Michigan (56-0) to start a roller coaster season that saw them eventually wind up as the national champion.
Ohio State will host Texas at noon on Saturday to open the season in what feels like the regular-season game of the year — in week one.
The Longhorns are ranked No. 1 in the preseason for the first time in their storied history while the Buckeyes are No. 3.
As if that’s not enough, it’s the start of the incredibly highly touted Arch Manning Era for Texas while Ohio State also will have a new quarterback in sophomore Julian Sayin. The pressure for those signal-callers is through the roof, and so is the fan interest.
And there’s the rematch factor from last year’s CFP semifinals when the Buckeyes doubled up the Longhorns 28-14.
Texas at Ohio State is simply must-see action like I can’t ever recall in August. I’ve talked with numerous people who can’t understand why this isn’t a prime-time game.
Surprisingly, this is only the fifth all-time matchup between these longtime powers.
The Longhorns won the first game in 2005 when Vince Young led a 25-22 victory against a Buckeyes team that started Justin Zwick, a former Orrville and Massillon quarterback. Texas went on to win the national title.
I still remember OSU tight end Ryan Hamby dropping a TD pass from Zwick, who wound up being replaced by future Heisman Trophy winner Troy Smith from Glenville.
The Buckeyes rebounded to win 34-7 in 2006, and the Longhorns took the 2008 Fiesta Bowl 24-21.
But enough about the history. What are the keys to the 2025 Texas vs. OSU matchup?
The biggest factor might be how well Ohio State reloads at running back and on the offensive line. The Buckeyes need to establish the run to take the pressure off Sayin and open things up for standout wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, tight end Max Klare (Purdue transfer) and the rest of the receiving corps.
The Buckeyes lost running backs Quinshon Judkins (Browns) and TreVeyon Henderson (Patriots) to the NFL. That opened the door for sophomore James Peoples, junior C.J. Donaldson (West Virginia transfer) and true freshman Lamar “Bo” Jackson (Villa Angela-St. Joseph) to make names for themselves.
Some local fans might remember Jackson played for Villa Angela-St. Joseph in a 41-7 win over Wooster at Follis Field in 2022. Jackson scored two TDs in limited action as he was nursing an injury.
The pick
Ohio State lost 14 players to the NFL Draft including the aforementioned running backs, Will Howard (QB), Emeka Egbuka (WR), Jack Sawyer (DE), and key offensive and defensive linemen.
Texas has the edge on defense with more experience, but Ohio State has Jeremiah Smith and a big home-field advantage in The ‘Shoe.
I’m picking the Longhorns to win, 27-24. (Of course, I hope I’m wrong and the Buckeyes can come away with the win!)
Parting shots
The Cleveland Guardians and All-Star third baseman Jose Ramirez have cooled off recently. I’ve followed the team closely again this season and absolutely love watching Ramirez play.
Ramirez is a true five-tool player: speed, hitting for average, power, fielding and arm strength. The 5-foot-8 dynamo was hitting .286 with 26 home runs, 81 runs, 68 RBI and 36 stolen bases through games of Aug. 27. At age 32 Ramirez shows no signs of slowing down on the bases.
Ramirez is on pace to be a Hall of Famer and rank No. 1 or 2 on Cleveland’s all-time lists for most offensive categories. Making “Hosey” even more popular, he’s an always-hustling overachiever who took less money to stay in Cleveland. He actually wanted to be here.
How lucky are Cleveland fans to have a true superstar in the small-market home of the Dolan ownership team?
Singing “Jo-sé, José José José, Jo-sé, Jo-sé!” after a big play by the Dominican native, or to just root him on, is something truly unique. Sometimes I wish Jose answered interview questions in English, but even speaking through a translator, he’s entertaining and genuine. TV reporter Andre Knott often asks Ramirez after a home run, “What kind of pitch did you hit?” Ramirez always answers, “Home run pitch!”
—Who’s on the Mount Rushmore of “most beloved” Cleveland athletes of the last 50 years? If I’m picking only four, I’ll go with LeBron James, Ramirez, Bernie Kosar and Jim Thome. Honorable mention: Mark Price, Joe Thomas.
—Tyler Pettorini, a Wooster High and Ohio State alum, has had a solid start to his pro baseball career. Pettorini was batting .264 (14-53) with a double and triple through his first 17 games with the Phillies’ Single-A Clearwater Threshers team.
—Best wishes to all area high school and college athletes as another school year is underway. My advice to athletes: It goes by fast, so enjoy it, give it your all and be a great teammate.
