The college football world marked its calendars when Ohio State announced that it will travel to Austin on September 12, 2026 for a primetime matchup against Texas at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium. The game forms the second installment of a home‑and‑home series that began with a Buckeyes victory in 2025, and both programs are eager to flip the script.
A Revenge Match in Austin
The stakes are heightened by a history of tightly contested meetings, including a playoff clash in 2024 that left fans craving a rematch. This time, the Longhorns will enjoy home‑field advantage, but the Buckeyes bring a potent offense and a defense that has been sharpening its edge during spring practice. The atmosphere in Austin is expected to be electric, with the stadium’s capacity crowd poised to amplify every pivotal play.
Broadcast details add another layer of intrigue. While the previous encounter in Columbus was carried on FOX, the Austin showdown will be aired on ABC, bringing the contest to a national audience in a prime‑time slot. The regular‑season finale for Ohio State is slated for a 12 p.m. ET start on FOX, but the Texas game will be the centerpiece of the network’s college‑football coverage that September.
Ohio State’s 2026 schedule also features a gauntlet of non‑conference opponents, ranging from Ball State and Kent State early in the season to traditional powerhouses such as Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, Indiana, USC, Oregon, Northwestern, Nebraska and Michigan. The breadth of the slate reflects a deliberate strategy to test the team early and build momentum heading into conference play.
Analysts and former players have already begun to dissect the narrative. Stewart Mandel, a veteran voice in college‑football commentary, has highlighted the revenge factor as a driving force for both squads. Meanwhile, standout athletes such as Quinshon Judkins, Jack Sawyer, Caleb Downs, Julian Sayin and Arch Manning are expected to be central to the storylines, each bringing a distinct talent that could tip the balance in a game that promises to be as dramatic as it is competitive.