The Ohio State Buckeyes, ranked No. 1, head to Austin on Saturday to face the No. 4 Texas Longhorns in what has become one of the early-season college football highlights. Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. CT at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium, where the game will air on ABC.
What to know before kickoff
Ohio State and Texas are closing out a two-year home-and-home that has drawn national attention. The Buckeyes carried momentum from a lopsided Week 1 victory, while Texas opened its season with a dominant performance of its own. Last season in Columbus the teams played a low-scoring affair, a 14-7 win for Ohio State in the first meeting of this series.
Coaching matchups and quarterback play are among the focal points: Texas coach Steve Sarkisian will square off with Ohio State coach Ryan Day for the third time in under two years. The Longhorns will rely on quarterback Arch Manning, while the Buckeyes have Julian Sayin under center.
Broadcast, streaming and announcing team
The game will be televised nationally on ABC. Cord-cutters can stream the broadcast through the ESPN app and via services such as Fubo (which offers a free trial; regional restrictions may apply).
- TV channel: ABC
- Streaming: ESPN app; Fubo (free trial)
- Play-by-play: Chris Fowler
- Analyst: Kirk Herbstreit
- Sideline reporters: Holly Rowe and Laura Rutledge
Game facts at a glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Date | Sept. 12, 2026 |
| Kickoff | 6:30 p.m. CT |
| Location | Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium, Austin |
| Teams | No. 4 Texas Longhorns vs. No. 1 Ohio State Buckeyes |
| Network | ABC (stream: ESPN app, Fubo) |
Context and what's at stake
For both programs, this nonconference matchup carries playoff and narrative implications. Texas, playing before a home crowd in Austin, seeks to reinforce its place among the early favorites in a season with high expectations. For Sarkisian, another strong result in a high-profile game will shape evaluations of his tenure and program trajectory.
Ohio State, defending a No. 1 ranking, aims to demonstrate it can win away from Columbus against elite opposition. A victory would bolster the Buckeyes’ résumé for the College Football Playoff committee and provide separation in the polls heading into the bulk of Big Ten play.
How the teams reached this point
Both teams came into the matchup with convincing Week 1 wins. Texas opened its season by overwhelming a nearby opponent by a wide margin, while Ohio State recorded a dominant win of its own. That pair of lopsided results set the stage for expectations that Saturday’s clash will be closely watched for early indications of each program’s national standing.
Prediction and betting context
Among published commentary leading into the game, one projection favored Texas by a narrow margin, with a suggested final of Texas 31, Ohio State 27. Betting lines and spreads were available through outlets such as BetMGM. Fans should consult up-to-date odds and local broadcast schedules before the game, as those details can change.
For Ohio fans
Buckeye supporters across Ohio who can’t make the trip to Austin have multiple viewing options: ABC’s national broadcast, streaming through the ESPN app, or subscribing temporarily to streaming services that carry ABC. Local watch parties and campus-viewing events are expected in Columbus and other Ohio cities; check with local venues for hours and cover policies.
This early-season showdown represents one of the highest-stakes nonconference games on the 2026 calendar. Whatever the result, the outcome will ripple through national rankings and playoff conversations as both teams navigate the rest of their schedules.
