Dream Start: Defending Champs Ohio State Host Top-Ranked Texas

There's really only one word to describe this weekend's blockbuster matchup: WOW! It doesn't get much bigger than this in college football. We'll see the defending national champions, the Ohio State Buckeyes, take on the top-ranked Texas Longhorns. A wild way to open the season — and it's also a direct rematch of last year's CFP semifinal, where Ohio State won 28–14 before going on to capture the national title.

The game kicks off Saturday, and the outcome will set the tone for the entire season. For the record, this is the first time in program history that Texas enters the year ranked No. 1. Of course, this matchup isn't simply a continuation of last year's semifinal. Both teams remain elite, but their rosters look quite different now. Each program lost a wave of stars to the NFL Draft. Ohio State, for instance, saw major names like Emeka Egbuka and TreVeyon Henderson depart — big losses no doubt.

Oddsmakers currently have Ohio State as the favorite, even though Texas is on top of the ranking, something extremely rare in a Week 1 game. Earlier in the week the Buckeyes were actually listed as even bigger favorites. Keep an eye on those lines and late moves heading into Saturday's kickoff.

Quarterback Showdown

For Texas, much of the pregame chatter surrounds quarterback Arch Manning. The pressure on him is immense. Despite carrying the legendary family name, much of the attention has shifted to his own performance and leadership. Coaches and teammates praise his work ethic, poise, and initiative - he's even known to run extra practices to keep the entire unit in sync. Manning also enters the year as the betting favorite for the Heisman Trophy.

Across the field is quarterback Julian Sayin, making his first start for Ohio State after transferring from Alabama. He'll have a prime weapon in the wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, the superstar wideout who like Manning is firmly in the Heisman conversation.

Other Week 1 Highlights

• LSU (No. 9) vs. Clemson (No. 4) – Another marquee Top-10 battle on Saturday. Brian Kelly's program added a loaded transfer class this offseason, and the pressure is on to reach the playoff for the first time under his watch. LSU hasn't won a season opener since 2019, when Joe Burrow led the Tigers all the way to a national title.
• Notre Dame (No. 6) at Miami (No. 10) – A heavyweight showdown on Sunday where Carson Beck makes his Hurricanes debut. The former Georgia quarterback is expected to be the centerpiece of Mario Cristobal's rebuild in Coral Gables.
• North Carolina vs. TCU – The spotlight falls on Bill Belichick's college coaching debut on Monday. Media attention is massive as the legendary NFL coach begins a new chapter in Chapel Hill. The question is how he'll adapt to leading 18- to 20-year-olds — a completely different challenge from veterans in the pros. Monday marks the start of the Bill Belichick era in college football.

One Last Note

If you somehow missed it, Netflix recently dropped a brand-new documentary series: SEC Football: Any Given Saturday. The show follows top players and coaches in an uncensored, behind-the-scenes look at last year's dramatic SEC season. Produced by the same team behind Full Swing and Formula 1: Drive to Survive, it's a must-watch.

Enjoy Week 1 — and don't forget to check out XG Picks' prediction models before placing your bets!