Ryan Day admits Texas is a 'monster,' calls for Ohio State preparation to be 'on point'

When Ohio State and Texas meet on Aug. 30, both teams will look a little different that they did during their January meeting at the Cotton Bowl. However, it remains the marquee matchup of the opening weekend of the college football season.

Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day has a good feeling about his new group, though. That’s why he’s challenging his roster to do all of the little things right in the lead up to Week 1.

“Ultimately, guys have to step into new roles, and that’s the fun part of the journey. To see where this goes,” Day said, via the Big Ten Network. “I really like the competitiveness of this group. I like the edginess of this group. We just need to continue to work and grow and have a great preseason.

“And we certainly know in this first game (that) we got a monster, so we have to make sure that every single day, every play, every meeting, is on point going into this first game. And then, as you go throughout the season, you have to build and grow, and that’s what’s exciting about this group.”

"We have to make sure that every single day, every play, every meeting is on point going into this first game."

Ryan Day on @OhioStateFB's mindset heading into Week 1 against Texas. pic.twitter.com/iosxVc86vo

— Big Ten Football (@B1Gfootball) August 8, 2025

When these two teams met in the Cotton Bowl on Jan. 10, it was the Buckeyes who would emerge on top with a 28-14 victory. Texas was driving down the field in the fourth quarter down just a touchdown until a fumble recovery and scoop-and-score by the Buckeyes. The 14-point swing put the game out of reach for the Longhorns, and Ohio State would go on to not only win the Cotton Bowl, but also the national championship.

The two key players involved in that play — Texas QB Quinn Ewers and Ohio State DE Jack Sawyer — were both drafted into the NFL this offseason. Moreover, the Buckeyes also lost their national championship-winning quarterback in Will Howard as well. Both teams will feature blue-chip first-year quarterbacks Arch Manning and Julian Sayin in 2025.

Ohio State ultimately saw 14 players selected in the 2025 NFL Draft following last year’s championship run. Head coach Ryan Day has had to work diligently in order to piece together another elite team in Columbus this season. In response to the departures, Ohio State brought in the No. 11 overall transfer portal class and a top-five recruiting class this season.

Fans of both programs will be well acquainted after the season-opening matchup, as the game between the Buckeyes and Longhorns is the first of two matchups in the home-and-home series the two national powers will play.

Kickoff for the Aug. 30 matchup is set for Noon ET and will air live on FOX. The Buckeyes are favored by 2.5 points at home, according to BetMGM.