Week one of the 2025 college football season continues Saturday with an electric slate of games all day long. While there are plenty of great matchups, all eyes will be on No. 1 Texas taking on No. 3 Ohio State in Columbus.
The Buckeyes are the defending national champions and took down Texas in the College Football Playoff last season. Still, they’re not taking this one lightly. Head coach Ryan Day admitted he’s had this matchup on his mind all offseason, and according to Fox Sports’ Jenny Taft, superstar wide receiver Jeremiah Smith has been locked in on it as well.
Ryan Day and Jeremiah Smith Have Been Circling Texas Showdown All Offseason
Despite winning a national championship just six months ago, Ohio State has already shifted its focus to the 2025 season as it prepares for another run at the title. To keep their championship hopes alive, the Buckeyes must first get past the Texas Longhorns in a massive Week One showdown between two of the sport’s biggest brands.
According to Eleven Warriors, Ryan Day made it clear on “The Ryan Day Radio Show” that the matchup with Texas has been on his mind since the moment the 2024 season ended.
“It’s been circled on the calendar for a long time,” Day said. “Being ready to play in this first game is important.”
Day isn’t the only one who’s had this game circled. On “The Joel Klatt Show: A College Football Podcast,” Fox Sports’ Jenny Taft revealed that she spoke with sophomore wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, who echoed his head coach’s mindset ahead of the Texas game.
“It’s been circled, I’ve been watching a lot of tape, it’s been on my mind.”
Jeremiah Smith is prepared to take on No. 1 Texas. More from Jenny Taft. pic.twitter.com/NmWyAaVTtv
— The Joel Klatt Show: A College Football on FOX Pod (@JoelKlattShow) August 29, 2025
“And let me tell you, he has thought about what happened last year, against Texas,” Taft said. “And he told me that. He said ‘It’s been circled, I’ve been watching a lot of tape, this one has been on my mind.”‘
Texas vs. Ohio State Preview: Head-to-Head, Grades, and Prediction for College Football Week 1
Smith is coming off one of the most impressive true freshman seasons in recent memory, catching 76 passes for 1,315 yards and 15 touchdowns in 2024. However, in last season’s CFP matchup against Texas, he was limited to just one catch for three yards.
It’s clear the young wide receiver isn’t satisfied with that performance and is determined to make an impact in this year’s game.
That mindset from both Smith and Day is a good sign. Even as reigning national champions, they’ve set the past aside and are fully locked in for their Week One clash against the Longhorns.
Ohio State hosts Texas on Saturday, August 30, at 12:00 p.m. EST, with coverage on FOX.
