Texas welcomes Ohio State for the third consecutive season, hosting the top-ranked Buckeyes in a clash that could shape both programs’ postseason futures. The rivalry has deepened since Hero Kanu experienced it from both angles—first as a Buckeye in Ohio State’s 2024 College Football Playoff semifinal victory over Texas, then as a Longhorn in last year’s 14-7 defeat that erased Texas’ playoff chances.
Saturday’s matchup in Austin marks the sixth meeting between the two programs in their 136-year histories. For Kanu, now a defensive tackle for Texas, the game carries immense personal weight. “I’m not going to make this game personal,” he said Monday. But he quickly acknowledged how big the game is for college football. “This is a playoff-caliber type game. And one that Ohio State was better prepared to handle the last two years. They owned the moment better than we did last year,” Kanu said. The big moments of both recent games certainly swung Ohio State’s way.
In 2024, Texas was driving for a tying touchdown late in the fourth quarter when Jack Sawyer sacked Quinn Ewers, scooped the fumble and ran 83 yards for the game-clinching TD. The play set off wild celebrations as Kanu and his teammates cheered Sawyer all the way down the sideline. Last season’s matchup in Columbus left Kanu with nothing to cheer about.
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The Buckeyes won 14-7 and pushed the Longhorns around most of the day. Texas quarterback Arch Manning’s Heisman Trophy campaign all but ended, and Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin’s was just starting. Kanu said he still has friends on Ohio State. But he made it clear there won’t be any friendly chatter this week. “We don’t talk this week,” Kanu said. “We can chat after this week.”
The Buckeyes arrive as the first No. 1-ranked team to visit Austin since Alabama in 2022, heightening the pressure. Texas, currently No. 5, carries the burden of a program eager to reclaim its former dominance. With 10 games remaining, Saturday’s outcome could set the tone for their playoff hopes.
The last two losses weren’t just defeats—they revealed Ohio State’s ability to win in decisive moments. Sawyer’s play in 2024 and Sayin’s efficiency in 2025 defined those games. Texas must now answer with its own momentum.
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Kanu’s Insider Edge Fuels Texas’ Redemption Drive
Kanu’s dual perspective gives him insight into Ohio State’s playbook, strengths, and tendencies. The rivalry transcends pride, it’s about redemption. Texas possesses the talent to compete, but their consistency against elite offenses remains unproven.
Ohio State’s dominance in these matchups positions them as favorites, but Texas has shown resilience. The difference this time may hinge on execution. If the Longhorns can limit Sayin’s effectiveness and eliminate turnovers, they’ll have a chance. Another close loss could push them further from a playoff spot they’re already struggling to secure.
No. 1 vs. No. 5: Playoff Futures on the Line
This game extends beyond No. 1 vs. No. 5. It determines whether Texas can end its two-year losing streak to Ohio State and whether the Buckeyes can strengthen their claim as the nation’s best. For Texas, a win would prove they’re more than a team capable of beating Power Five opponents, they’d demonstrate they can thrive on the biggest stage. For Ohio State, another victory would solidify their postseason credentials.
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The Longhorns’ playoff aspirations depend on more than Saturday’s result, but the psychological toll of another loss could be severe. Longhorns coach Steve Sarkisian said he won’t try to project the impact of this week on the Decembers playoffs. “I don’t need to spend so much energy and time on ‘what does this game mean?’ As a competitor, we get to play the No. 1 team in the country, a team we’ve had two battles with the last two years,” Sarkisian said. “We’ve got 10 other games to go play,” to determine the season’s ultimate destination.
The rivalry’s rarity adds to its significance. Few programs face a third meeting in three years, let alone with such high stakes. For Kanu, Saturday represents an opportunity to silence critics, both within his own program and nationwide. Having played on both sides of this rivalry, the outcome will define which side he now fully supports.