When No. 1 Ohio State travels to Austin for its Week 0 showdown against No. 3 Texas on Aug. 30, the game will bring together two powerhouse rosters. Additionally, both Texas and Ohio State will depend on two new starting quarterbacks and a national spotlight. However, analyst Josh Pate believes the deciding factor may not come from the players at all.
On “Josh Pate’s College Football Show,” Pate highlighted the difference between the two sides and why he thinks the Longhorns will prevail over the reigning champions.
“Texas has got one of the best staffs in the country and they got continuity on that staff and I trust them to go on the road here,” Pate said (7:46). “For all the respect I have for Matt Patricia, he hadn’t done this. For all the respect I got for Brian Hartline, I got a ton of it. He hadn’t done this.”
That trust, Pate argued, makes him lean toward the Longhorns to win outright despite Ohio State’s reigning champion status.
“I actually don’t have a ton of trust in anything in this game, but I’m going to lean Texas,” he added. “I think Sark needs the game more, by the way.”
The remarks point toward head coach Steve Sarkisian’s larger narrative. After falling short in recent postseason showdowns, another high-profile loss would invite heavier scrutiny. The matchup also features Arch Manning’s first start as Texas’ full-time quarterback, opposite Ohio State’s Julian Sayin, a five-star prospect making his debut as a starter.
Steve Sarkisian Expects Texas To Be ‘Alert’ Against Julian Sayin-Led Ohio State
With just days remaining before No. 3 Texas hosts top-ranked Ohio State in one of the most highly anticipated openers in recent memory, Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian is already sizing up the Buckeyes’ new starting quarterback.
Julian Sayin, the former five-star recruit who transferred to Ohio State from Alabama last season, will lead the pack for Ryan Day’s team. Though he has seen limited action at the college level, Sayin steps into the job fresh off the Buckeyes’ national title campaign. However, Sarkisian offered a direct scouting report this week, explaining why Texas must be cautious.
“Julian’s a really good player. He’s a natural passer,” Sarkisian said. “He’s got a quick release. He’s a better athlete than you think; he can run, so we definitely need to be alert to that and ready for that.”
Texas coach Steve Sarkisian on Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin: “Julian’s a really good player. He’s a natural passer. He’s got a quick release. He’s a better athlete than you think; he can run, so we definitely need to be alert to that and ready for that.”
— Dan Hope (@Dan_Hope) August 25, 2025
For Texas, the game doubles as the official beginning of the Arch Manning era. Manning takes over the offense after two years as a backup, with expectations already sky-high for the redshirt sophomore to carry the Longhorns into national title contention.
The matchup also brings a rematch of sorts. These two programs met in the Cotton Bowl last season, where Texas fell short but managed to hold star receiver Jeremiah Smith to just one catch. Smith will again be one of Ohio State’s top weapons against a Longhorns defense preparing to make adjustments.
Read More: Oregon Ducks Football Recruiting: Top 3 Prospects Who Can Change The Game For Dan Lanning’s Squad
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in football, basketball, and more!
