Joel Klatt previews Texas vs. Ohio State, how it could shape 2025 season

Week 1 of the college football season has a surplus of standout games in the upcoming season. Alas, one stands above the rest. On Monday, FOX Sports’ Joel Klatt revealed how the Ohio State–Texas could shape the rest of the 2025 campaign.

“This is going to be a monster, monster matchup,” Klatt said. “Not only do you have all the backstory that these teams just played in College Football Playoff semifinal, but you also have the first start in the Arch [Manning] era. Now, I know that Arch has started before, but the first start of the Arch era — this is now his team. This is his program.

“Arch Manning here as your starter for Texas, and he’s going to get that start against the defending national champion on the road. That’s pretty awesome. So I cannot wait for that scenario. We’ve also got the quarterback situation at Ohio State. Who is it going to be? Is it going to be Julian Sayin? I know he’s incredibly talented.”

Fans in Texas are buzzing at the idea of Arch Manning finally leading the Longhorns. Manning spent two seasons as the backup behind Quinn Ewers, but he’ll now finally get his chance to shine. He’s given fans plenty to be excited about.

In his two starts last season while Ewers was out with an injury, Manning completed 41-60 pass attempts for 583 yards and four touchdowns while only throwing two interceptions. He also recorded 29 rushing yards and a touchdown.

Ohio State’s future at QB isn’t nearly as secure. Julian Sayin is the current favorite to start for the Buckeyes next season, but has essentially no collegiate experience.

Sayin made four appearances for Ohio State last season, totaling 12 pass attempts. Of course, everybody has to start somewhere, and a dominant performance against Texas in Week 1 could do wonders for Sayin’s confidence.

Joel Klatt isn’t only excited to see the talent on the field clash. He’s also eager to see how the two coaching staffs game plan for each other, especially with some of the fresh faces on the sidelines.

“You’re going to have a new offensive play-caller in Brian Hartline. You’re going to have a new defensive play-caller in Matt Patricia at Ohio State,” Klatt said. “You know how I feel about Steve Sarkisian. He is one hell of a college football coach. He would be easily in my top five or six in the country, and now he’s going against a guy that now is easily in the top two or three in the country, and that’s Ryan Day.

“We get to see all of that play out right there in front of us. Week 1 in The Shoe. Ryan Day, Steve Sarkisian, possibly Julian Sayin against Arch Manning. You’ve got new coordinators. You’ve got all of it… I cannot wait for that game.”

Texas and Ohio State will square off at noon ET on Aug. 30. The game will air live on FOX.