Ohio State vs. Texas: Why Julian Sayin vs. Arch Manning Could Define the 2026 Season

Last year, Julian Sayin and Arch Manning saw each other in the very first game of the season. This was, without a doubt, the biggest game of Week 1. The implications of that game were huge because before the season started they were both Heisman candidates, and both teams had playoff prospects. Manning's Heisman odds went from +600 to +1600 just from that one loss. 

Ohio State Buckeyes line up opposite Texas Longhorns during the game on August 30, 2025, at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, OH

This year, The Ohio State University will take a trip to Austin, Texas to play the Texas Longhorns in Week 2. This game will do the same thing it did last year: the winner will most likely see themselves to the playoffs, and the winning quarterback will, again, likely be in New York City during the second week of December.

The Buckeyes are the Longhorns first real challenge this season. But later in the season, Texas plays, in order: @Tennessee, (bye week), vs. Oklahoma, vs. Florida, vs. Ole Miss. It's fair to say that Texas might have a 9-3 record this year, which would take them out of the conference game and perhaps the playoffs again. I bring this all up because Texas Longhorns coach Steve Sarkisian is on the clock. If he can't win those big games this year, his job may be on the line. A good start to probably coach Sarkisian's most important season yet could be the push this Longhorns team needs to keep him there. 

The implications of this game for Ohio State are the same as Texas, except Ryan Day's job is much more secure than Sark’s. It seems to be as long as the Buckeyes beat the team up north, Day is welcome in Columbus. This year, they have around five or six big games (depending on who you ask), which is more than usual. They start with Texas, then a couple of weeks later they play @Indiana, bye week, @USC, home against Oregon. Then the biggest game of every season: the Buckeyes square off with the Wolverines in the Shoe. 

After last year, both of these teams' quarterbacks got flack for how they ended the season. And going into this season, both need to be more consistent and finish stronger. Week 2 will set the tone for the rest of the season for both quarterbacks and teams.