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Ohio State Buckeyes are at the top of a list that will leave the doubters without much to say on the subject

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Brandon Little | Last updated May 26, 2025 6:12 PM ET

Ohio State won a National Championship last season, ending a decade-long drought for the program. Head coach Ryan Day became just the third active college football head coach to win a national title.

But none of that matters now, as a new 2025 season is quickly approaching. The Buckeyes are focused on defending their recently earned title and aiming to repeat. Team leaders, such as safety Caleb Downs, have emphasized that this current team hasn’t accomplished anything yet.

Ohio State lost a significant amount of talent from its championship roster, with 14 players selected in the 2025 NFL Draft. As the Buckeyes take the field with many new starters, the road ahead won’t be easy.

On3 Lists Ohio State’s Season Opener as the Toughest Non-Conference Game of 2025

The Buckeyes will open the 2025 season by hosting the Texas Longhorns in a rematch of the Cotton Bowl. This Week 1 clash is expected to be a noon kickoff on FOX. While a primetime slot would make sense for such a high-profile matchup, it appears unlikely.

Top 10 Nonconference Games of the 2025 College Football season via @PeteNakos_

Do you agree? https://t.co/OgzfewPmPS pic.twitter.com/nyofYppwrR
— On3 (@On3sports) May 24, 2025

Both teams will debut new starting quarterbacks. For Texas, the transition has been clear: Arch Manning is set to take over following Quinn Ewers’ departure, and he already has some in-game experience. At Ohio State, the quarterback competition is still ongoing between Julian Sayin and Lincoln Kienholz, with Sayin considered the frontrunner for the starting job.

The home-and-home series will continue in 2027, when the Buckeyes travel to Texas. With the Longhorns on the 2025 schedule, there will be no criticism of Ohio State’s non-conference slate. Texas is a legitimate contender for the next College Football Playoff, making this an early-season test that could have major implications for both programs.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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