FOX Sets Ohio State vs. Texas Kickoff Time—But Is It Perfect for Game-Changing Moments?
It’s not every day that the college football gods bless us with a sequel that already feels like a blockbuster—Texas versus Ohio State, a rematch of the Cotton Bowl, kicking off the 2025 season in Columbus. Now, here’s a question worth pondering: with a game of this magnitude staring us down at noon on a Saturday, why does primetime always steal the spotlight? But hey, the Buckeyes and Longhorns draw ratings like gravity draws the Earth, so maybe the “Big Noon Kickoff” slot is just fine after all.
What’s got me buzzing? Ohio State, fresh off a dominant National Championship run, will field a revamped roster. Gone is Will Howard, drafted into the big leagues, leaving a tantalizing quarterback race between newcomers Julian Sayin and Lincoln Kienholz. Meanwhile, Texas might just hand Arch Manning—the nephew of Peyton and Eli—the keys to the kingdom. After toiling in Quinn Ewers’ shadow, Manning’s 2025 debut against a stingy Buckeyes defense could flip the script on predictions and launch his Heisman chase with fireworks.
So, will this clash serve as Manning’s coronation or Ohio State’s iron grip on college football? If I had to bet, I’d say expect the unexpected. Fans are already buzzing and grumbling about the kick-off time—typical, right? But one thing’s for certain: this is a showdown that’s going to set the tone for the season and then some.
College fans will quickly be treated to a monumental college football matchup when Texas opens its 2025 season in Columbus against Ohio State.
Fans can now mark their calendars for the epic Cotton Bowl rematch. FOX revealed Monday that it will broadcast the Week 1 matchup on Saturday, Aug. 30.
The network confirmed that the Ohio State-Texas game will draw its “Big Noon Kickoff” slot, meaning it starts at 12 p.m. ET.
Some fans may wish a game of this magnitude received a primetime designation. However, a matchup between the Buckeyes and Longhorns should still draw massive ratings for FOX.
On Jan. 10, Ohio State advanced to the National Championship Game with a 28-14 win over Texas. The Buckeyes scored two straight touchdowns in the fourth quarter before concluding a dominant CFP run with another double-digit triumph over Notre Dame.
Ohio State will begin its title defense with a new-look roster. While Jeremiah Smith and Caleb Downs return to Ryan Day’s program, Will Howard was among the 14 players drafted in April.
As of now, it’s unclear who will replace Howard under center. Five-star recruit Julian Sayin will compete with Lincoln Kienholz for the starting job this summer.
On the other hand, this Week 1 matinee could become Arch Manning’s official coronation.
After spending two seasons behind Quinn Ewers, the highly touted recruit will finally run Steve Sarkisian’s Longhorns offense. He’ll receive a massive early test against a Buckeyes defense that yielded a nation-low 12.9 points per game last season.
In limited playing time last year, Manning accounted for 13 touchdowns and two interceptions with 10.4 yards per attempt and a 67.8 completion percentage. Yet he wasn’t challenged by stout competition, making his only SEC start against a Mississippi State squad that went 0-8 within the conference.
Despite the small sample, most onlookers have massive expectations for Manning. The nephew of Peyton and Eli Manning is a +800 co-favorite alongside LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier to win the Heisman Trophy on FanDuel Sportsbook.
A big showing at The Shoe could instantly solidify Manning as one of the nation’s top quarterbacks and Texas as a premier title contender.
Related: College Football Fans Not Happy With Ohio State vs. Texas Announcement
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