COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — If Ohio State and Texas aren’t careful, people might think there’s a little rivalry brewing between the powerhouse programs.
The Buckeyes will go for their third straight win over the Longhorns on Saturday at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Texas.
Each team boasts tremendous history, national championship aspirations and a quarterback-receiver duo that everyone will be watching Saturday under the hot, Texas sun.
They say comparison is the thief of joy. We call it getting ready for college football’s best game of the weekend. Here’s your tale of the tape:
National championships
Ohio State: Nine
Texas: Four
Most recent national championship
Ohio State: 2024
Texas: 2005
Conference championships
Ohio State: 41
Texas: 33
Heisman Trophy winners
Ohio State: Seven
Texas: Two
Heisman candidates this year
Ohio State: QB Julian Sayin, WR Jeremiah Smith, RB Bo Jackson
Texas: QB Arch Manning, WR Cam Coleman
Most recent Heisman winner
Ohio State: QB Troy Smith, 2006
Texas: RB Ricky Williams, 1998
Head-to-head history
Ohio State leads the series, 3-2
Last meeting
Ohio State won in Columbus in the season opener last year, 14-7
Last regular-season meeting in Texas
Ohio State won the rematch in a home-and-home series in 2006, 24-7
Last time Texas won
The Longhorns defeated OSU, 24-21, in the Fiesta Bowl following the 2008 season
All-time wins
Ohio State: 991 (No. 2 all time)
Texas: 974 (T-No. 4 all time)
Most famous fan
Ohio State: LeBron James
Texas: Matthew McConaughey
On current NFL rosters
Ohio State: 58
Texas: 41
Odds to win this year’s national championship
Ohio State: +550 (No. 1 on DraftKings)
Texas: +650 (No. 3)
Saturday’s wagering notes
Texas is a 1.5-point favorite with the over-under at 49.5 (DraftKings)
What a win would mean for each team
Ohio State: Winning the first tough test, and on the road, will give the Buckeyes confidence heading into the program’s most difficult schedule in recent memory.
Texas: The Longhorns likely would take over the No. 1 spot and would become the hunted, not the hunter.
Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. on ABC 6.