A likely Big Noon Kickoff TV selection for Texas at Ohio State bodes well for the Longhorns

Texas fans who went to Columbus, Ohio in 2005 to watch Vince Young, Limas Sweed, Drew Kelson, Aaron Harris and the No. 2 Longhorns defeat the No. 4 Ohio State Buckeyes remember that game for a variety of reasons. Not only was it the jumping off point for Texas’ national championship campaign, but it also stands out as one of the most militant environments fans clad in burnt orange have ever ventured to.

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Yes, militant.

The rare night game at Ohio Stadium gave Buckeye faithful license to unleash a wrath upon Longhorn fans that left those heading back to the Lone Star State wondering: “how bad would it be if I were wearing maize and blue?”

Whether it be extended “preparation” hours, or excitement for hosting a night game at the Horseshoe, Ohio Stadium was a battlefield that Texas fans will forever remember as memorable for positive and negative reasons.

When Texas returns to Columbus to start the 2025 season against the reigning national champions, it’s unlikely to be under the lights.

Fox picks the weeks where it gets first choice for their Big Noon Saturday window. Rivalry week is typically No. 1 so they can air Michigan vs. Ohio State. They tend to pick premier out-of-conference games second, as they did last year for Texas vs. Michigan.

And per Inside Texas’ Eric Nahlin, expect Fox to put the Cotton Bowl rematch between the Longhorns and the Buckeyes at 11 a.m. Central on August 30.

In a week one filled with great matchups, there might not be a better game than the one between UT and OSU. Potentially a No. 1 versus No. 2 matchup, there are countless storylines to track.

Ryan Day will look to defend his title.

Arch Manning takes over for Quinn Ewers.

Steve Sarkisian tries to exact revenge on the reigning national champion.

Hero Kanu gets to play his old team.

It’s not an unfamiliar spot for either team. Ohio State played seven noon Eastern games in 2024, including six straight from October 26 to the November 30 loss against the Wolverines. Despite the stretch of wins, playing in daylight hours with Gus Johnson, Joel Klatt, Tom Rinaldi, and Jenny Taft on the call wore on Buckeye fans who sought to make use of the Ohio Stadium lights. They got their wish in December when the Buckeyes thrashed Tennessee in the first round game of the College Football Playoff.

The Longhorns played three 11 a.m. Central games in 2024. One was the aforementioned Michigan game, the other two were versus Florida and at Arkansas. The early kickoff likely neutered the crowd in Fayetteville, Ark., especially compared to the night kickoff in 2021. That start time helped to create one of the most raucous Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium environments in recent memory.

The early start may have a similar effect in Columbus, even if the 102,780-plus at Ohio Stadium are used to it. A not-as-rowdy crowd for Manning’s first start, as well as a game where Texas is likely deploying four new offensive line starters, bodes well for the Longhorns.

It follows that Fox would want to grab this game. Of course, it has a great conference to sell in the Big 10, but the network often jumps at the chance to highlight out-of-conference games featuring Big 10 schools. Last year, Fox put Alabama’s trip to Wisconsin on Big Noon Saturday, as well as Penn State’s visit to Morgantown, W. Va. for their battle with West Virginia (the Big 12 is also a Fox partner).

For fans, they can hope for a safer road environment. Travels to Michigan for the Longhorns’ most recent foray into Big 10 country brought with it positive reviews. Horns were thrown down aplenty, but fans of the two Public Ivy institutions got along well in Detroit, Ann Arbor, Chicago, or any city close to U-M’s campus.

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Texas hopes to achieve a similar result in 2025 as they did in Ann Arbor in 2024, begin their celebrations around 3:30 p.m., and carry them deep into the Columbus, Ohio night.