As the Longhorns are set to face the Ohio State Buckeyes for the fifth time in 20 years, many college football fans may remember the most recent matchup, a Texas loss in the semifinals of the College Football Playoffs last year.

That memory may likely be the only one that many remember, aside from a few Ohio State and Texas fans. But even then, many may not realize just how deep the history between the two is, one that dates back to Columbus in 2005.

2005: No. 2 Texas at No. 4 Ohio State

In September of 2005, No. 2 Texas travelled to Columbus to face a No. 4-ranked Ohio State team in a game that would be the first of a home-and-home series and the first of many top-5 matchups between the two.

The 2005 Texas team was led by quarterback Vince Young, who finished second in the Heisman voting that year. Meanwhile, Ohio State played two quarterbacks, one being Troy Smith.

Ohio State received the ball to start, but only managed to gain five yards in three plays before punting. After the Longhorns received the ball, a big 32-yard rush by Young put Texas in position for a field goal to take a 3-0 lead.

Yet again, an Ohio State punt on the next drive gave Texas the ball. In a series of 10 plays, Young completed a 33-yard pass to wide receiver Billy Pittman, assisting the Longhorns in a drive down the field for a touchdown to take a 10-point lead.

However, Ohio State managed to get things going, attaining a field goal on the following series. It seemed to give the Buckeyes some momentum in all aspects, as Texas couldn’t manage to respond and ended up punting.

On the following drive, Ohio State went 80 yards in nine plays, evening the score at 10-10. Texas got the ball back, but crumbled. Young rushed for eight before he was tackled for a three-yard loss, fumbling, but managing to regain possession. On the very next play, he threw an interception that was returned for 24 yards, giving the Buckeyes prime field position.

The Texas defense responded, only allowing a field goal. But another Texas turnover gave Ohio State possession once again, allowing another field goal. However, the Longhorns were able to respond before halftime, kicking a field goal to make it 16-13.

Young threw another interception to open up the second half, allowing an Ohio State field goal. Texas responded with one of its own, but then allowed another one from the Buckeyes to follow up, making it a 22-16 game.

The score stayed the same for a while. With five minutes left in the fourth, Ohio State drove down the field and positioned itself for a field goal, which it missed. Subsequently, Texas got things going, forcing its way down the field, and ending the drive with a 24-yard passing touchdown to take a 23-22 lead with two and a half minutes to go.

Ohio State fumbled on the next drive, but Texas couldn’t manage anything after taking the ball to the 1-yard line and turning the ball over on downs there. On the very next play, Troy Smith was sacked by Texas’s Aaron Harris for a safety, giving the Longhorns a 25-22 lead and the ball with 19 seconds left, allowing the Longhorns to run the clock out and secure the victory.

Young finished the game passing 18-29 for 270 yards and two touchdowns to go with the two interceptions. He also led the team in rushing, ahead of the Longhorns’ leading running back, Jamaal Charles, who finished with 26 yards. On the other hand, Ohio State’s two quarterbacks finished with a combined 163 yards and a touchdown.

It was a huge win, especially after losing a 10-point lead early on, but it set the tone for the season. The 2005 Texas team went on to beat USC 41-38 in the BCS National Championship game and leave Texas fans reminiscing on the season, even to this day.

2006: No. 1 Ohio State at No. 2 Texas

A year later, the teams met in Austin, making history as it was the first and only time ever that there has been a top-2 matchup within the first two weeks of the season. Ohio State was led by a more experienced Smith, who would go on to win the Heisman that year, whereas Texas was led by redshirt-freshman Colt McCoy.

Ohio State opened the game by moving the ball 68 yards in eight plays, only to miss a 28-yard field goal and give Texas the ball. However, Texas couldn’t manage anything and punted. Ohio State did the same on the next drive. The Longhorns responded by driving all the way down the field to the 7-yard line, and then fumbling on a second-and-goal situation.

The ball was picked up by the Buckeyes and returned to the 50. From there, Ohio State managed to find its way to the endzone in just five plays, taking a 7-0 lead as the game neared the second quarter.

After Ohio State got things going, things slowed back down. Both teams traded punts twice before the Longhorns finally got things going offensively, driving 78 yards in almost seven minutes to score a touchdown to tie the game.

However, on the next drive, Ohio State responded quickly, scoring a touchdown in just five plays, thanks to back-to-back passes for over 20 yards to assist the Buckeyes in driving quickly down the field to regain the lead and make it a 14-7 game.

That would be the end of the first half, allowing Texas to head back to the locker room and attempt to regain its composure. But instead of looking refreshed, Texas came back out looking like a different team, and not in a good way.

Just like the year prior, right out of halftime, Texas turned the ball over after McCoy threw an interception on the third play. Ohio State then took advantage, kicking a field goal and taking a 10-point lead.

Punts were traded twice by both teams, yet again, before Texas drove 33 yards in seven plays and attempted to kick a field goal. Texas sent kicker Greg Johnson out to attempt a 45-yard field goal, but it was missed.

Instead of making it a one-score game, it allowed Ohio State to bounce back, killing 5:45 minutes on a 72-yard drive that set running back Antonio Pittman up for a 2-yard rushing touchdown to give the Buckeyes a 24-7 lead with six minutes left.

The game was effectively over at that point, with both teams punting on their next drives after both going three-and-out. Texas stayed consistent on the very last drive, unable to score with a minute and a half left.

While the Buckeyes went on to make an appearance in the BCS National Championship game, where they got blown out 41-14. Meanwhile, the Longhorns went on to beat two top-25 teams, but lost two straight to an unranked Kansas State and Texas A&M to end the season. Texas finished the season with a 26-22 win over Iowa in the Alamo Bowl.

It was a disappointing season, given the results of the season prior, but a 1-1 record against a top-ranked Ohio State wasn’t too bad. At that point, it was still unknown that the two would meet again in just a few years, but next time in the postseason.