Ohio State is headed 1,234 miles to Austin for a Saturday night rematch with Texas, and this one carries a much different feel than last year’s dud in Columbus.
The game now sits as a Top-5 showdown in Texas, with both Ohio State and Texas having spent over $40 million on their 2026 roster. That financial backdrop is part of what makes this matchup stand out: it is not just another early-season game, but a meeting between two programs built to be in the national picture.
Austin will feel the Buckeye presence
Ohio State fans are expected to show up in large numbers, turning the trip into more than a road game for the Buckeyes. One fan said the trip cost about $22,000 for the house, then added another $3,000 for tickets, saying they had better be heading home with a win. That kind of spending shows how big this weekend is for the fan base, too.
There was even a Southwest moment that captured the mood. A gate agent reportedly told travelers, “Look, I know you're headed to Austin, but I just wanted to tell you all 'Go Buckeyes' and I hope the ride back is a bit longer,” before the group faced a three-hour delay. It was a reminder that the Ohio State crowd is making itself known well before kickoff.
What it means for Steve Sarkisian and Texas
For Steve Sarkisian, the rematch brings another test of his “semifinals aren’t good enough” mantra. Texas has already shown it can build the kind of profile that attracts a national audience, but Saturday night is about proving that the standard reaches beyond appearances and into results against a team like Ohio State.
The quarterback spotlight will also be central, with Arch Manning and Julian Sayin part of the conversation around this matchup. Add in playmakers like Jeremiah Smith and Brandon Inniss, and the game has the kind of talent level that matches its billing.
Ohio State and Texas have spent heavily to get here, and now the focus shifts from roster construction to the field. After last year’s letdown in Columbus, this rematch in Austin gives both teams a chance to show what all that investment is meant to produce.
