Greg McElroy defends Ohio State vs. Texas as a Top 10 nonconference game in 2025

Excitement is quickly growing for the next college football season. It’s a year where there will be multiple massively important nonconference games, including a rematch of a College Football Playoff game when the Texas Longhorns travel to the Ohio State Buckeyes.

College football analyst Greg McElroy thinks that it’s actually going to be the best nonconference game of the 2025 season. He explained why on Always College Football.

“Finally, the best game in the nonconference here in 2025,” Greg McElroy said. “It should really come as no surprise. It is a rematch from the College Football Playoff semifinal from a year ago. The Texas Longhorns will travel to Columbus, Ohio to take on the Ohio State Buckeyes.”

The Texas Longhorns and Ohio State Buckeyes met in the Cotton Bowl last season, which acted as a semifinal in the College Football Playoff. There, the Buckeyes won 28-14 on the back of an excellent defensive effort. That was on the way to winning their most recent national championship.

Next season, both Texas and Ohio State have national championship aspirations. This one nonconference game won’t decide if that happens in the era of the expanded Playoff, but it will help build a resume and momentum moving forward.

“It’s going to be an incredible game. Two new quarterbacks that are very, very highly anticipated debut. Julian Sayin more than likely for Ohio State and we already know it’s Arch Manning for the Texas Longhorns. Both teams have hopes of winning a national championship,” McElroy said. “And a big win in Week 1 against one of the best teams in the sport should propel them and give them great momentum to take on the rest of their regular season opponents. That is, by far, the best game in the nonconference here in the 2025 season.”

Prior to even taking the field, there has been some drama surrounding this game. In particular, when the game is going to be played. That’s because Ohio State, looking to play fewer noon kickoff times, wanted to make this a night game on Sunday. However, the Longhorns made it clear they’re not interested in changing the time. That was a decision Texas AD Chris Del Conte explained.

“Why would I want to move the game to Sunday night and have a short week?” Del Conte said. “I’ve got to go to church (on Sunday).”

So, Ohio State and Texas are set to meet in Ohio Stadium at noon on August 30th. It is likely to be a spectacle, with ESPN’s College GameDay announcing it will be there, celebrating Lee Corso‘s final episode.