While the No. 1 Texas Longhorns coaches are not framing Saturday’s matchup against the Ohio State Buckeyes in Columbus at Ohio Stadium as a revenge game, it’s easy to see that as one of the many narratives that swirl around their marquee non-conference matchup that represents a rematch of the Cotton Bowl earlier this year in which the Longhorns were eliminated from the College Football Playoff and the Buckeyes went on to win the national title.
Any matchup between these two teams would be a marquee
game based on the brands alone, it’s also a matchup between two of the most talented teams in the country that oddsmakers believe will be relevant in the postseason conversation. Both teams are breaking in new full-time starters at quarterback, with redshirt sophomore Arch Manning taking over for Quinn Ewers after a much-publicized recruitment, while sophomore Julian Sayin takes the reins in Columbus after initially committing to Alabama but transferring following Nick Saban’s retirement.
While this matchup has been on the books for years, this is an example of some flashy non-conference matchups that teams can risk scheduling in the 12-team playoff era. Obviously, both teams would love to win the matchup; regardless of the outcome, these two teams have great odds to play again in the postseason.
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- No. 1 Texas vs. No. 3 Ohio State preview: Defending national champions provide early test for Horns
- How Steve Sarkisian is preparing for new Ohio State DC Matt Patricia
- WR Ryan Wingo’s development is key for Texas
- YouTube and FOX reach short-term agreement to avoid service disruption
- This is the most underrated part of Ohio State QB Julian Sayin’s game
- Ryan Day on what he expects from Steve Sarkisian’s opening script
- Arch Manning: “We’ve got a red dot on everyone else”
Injury report
- WR Emmett Mosley (lower leg) — questionable
- OT Andre Cojoe (knee) — out
How to watch
TV: FOX
Time: 11 a.m. Central
Livestream: FoxSports
Radio: Texassports.com. Broadcasts are also available on Sirius 132, XM 199, and App Ch. 953
Odds: The Longhorns are 2.5-point underdogs on FanDuel.
Weather: Mostly sunny, 74 degrees, wind NE 5 mph
