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Analyst Lays Out Reasons Texas Can Dominate in Columbus

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Brendan Howe | Last updated May 15, 2025 6:00 AM ET

It will be must-see television to open the season. The Texas Longhorns will visit the Ohio State Buckeyes, and Steve Sarkisian's crew will aim to exact a measure of revenge for how last go-round ended.

Inside Texas' Joe Cook doesn't envision the Longhorns having quite as tough a go of it as they did the last time they visited the Horseshoe. Cook doesn't believe the hostile crowd will be nearly as raucous.

"The first obvious reason is the kick time," Cook wrote Tuesday. "Back in 2005, No. 2 Texas and No. 4 Ohio State played under the temporary lights on ABC with an 8 p.m. start. That contest was just the sixth night game played in Ohio Stadium."

Cook pointed out that the Buckeyes will be celebrating their College Football Playoff national championship. The Ohio State faithful, in theory, won't be as full of venom as they'd be had Ryan Day and his team failed to climb to the sport's mountaintop.

"That's the type of environment that is conducive to joyful celebration, not angry beratement," Cook said. "Plus, unlike in 2005, there's familiarity with the Longhorns, at least more than there was 20 years ago. Ohio State had to defeat Texas in January to reach the championship game. And these teams will see each other in Austin in 2026.

"This time, the mood, and the addition of almost 500,000 people to the Columbus metropolitan area since 2005 should foster a different, and likely less hostile, Buckeye experience for those making the trip."

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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