If you're looking for the short answer to who won the Texas Ohio State game, it basically depends on which meeting you're talking about. In 2025, these two heavyweights didn't just play once; they bookended the calendar year with two of the most physical, defensive-minded battles we've seen in recent college football history.
Honestly, it's rare to see two programs of this stature clash twice in a single year, but that’s the beauty of the new 12-team playoff era.
The first big one happened on January 10, 2025, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington. This was the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Cotton Bowl, and the stakes couldn't have been higher. Ohio State won the Texas Ohio State game with a final score of 28-14. It was a heartbreak for the Longhorns, who were right in it until the very end. But then they met again to kick off the next season in August. Same result? Sorta, but much lower scoring.
The CFP Semifinal: How the Buckeyes Pulled Away
The January matchup was a chess match that turned into a slugfest. For three quarters, it felt like neither side was going to blink.
Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers was dealing, connecting with Jaydon Blue for two touchdowns that kept the Burnt Orange faithful screaming. But the Buckeyes have this knack for finding a "gear" in the fourth quarter.
The turning point was arguably the most legendary defensive play in recent Buckeye history. With Texas trailing 21-14 and driving late in the fourth, Jack Sawyer—who was actually Quinn Ewers’ former roommate—sacked Ewers, forced a fumble, and scooped it up himself.
He didn't just fall on it. He ran it back 83 yards for a touchdown.
The stadium went silent on one side and absolutely erupted on the other. That play effectively punched Ohio State’s ticket to the National Championship.
Key Stats from the Cotton Bowl
- Final Score: Ohio State 28, Texas 14
- Will Howard (OSU): 289 passing yards, 1 TD
- Quinn Ewers (UT): 283 passing yards, 2 TDs
- The Killer Stat: 14-0 scoring run by Ohio State in the 4th quarter
The August Rematch: Arch Manning’s Debut vs. The Shoe
Fast forward to August 30, 2025. This time, the venue shifted to the hostile environment of Ohio Stadium (The Shoe) in Columbus.
This game was hyped for months because it featured the regular-season debut of Arch Manning as the Texas QB1. Everyone wanted to see if the Manning legacy could handle the noise of 100,000+ Buckeyes fans.
It was a defensive masterclass. If you like points, this wasn't your game. If you like seeing linebackers fly around like heat-seeking missiles, it was a masterpiece.
Ohio State won the Texas Ohio State game (again) with a 14-7 victory. Arch Manning showed flashes of brilliance, throwing for 170 yards and a touchdown to Parker Livingstone, but the Ohio State defense, led by freshman sensation Julian Sayin on the offensive side and a veteran secondary, was just too much.
Texas had the ball late with a chance to tie, but the Buckeyes' front four lived in the backfield all afternoon.
Why the Buckeyes Keep Winning This Matchup
You have to look at the trenches. While Texas has elite speed and skill positions that can make any defensive coordinator lose sleep, Ohio State has built a "monster" on the lines.
Ryan Day’s squad managed to hold Texas to just 58 rushing yards in the January game and similarly stifled them in August. When you can't run the ball, you become predictable. And when you're predictable against a defense that features players like Caleb Downs and Sonny Styles, you're going to have a long day.
What People Get Wrong About These Games
A lot of fans think Texas "choked." That's kinda harsh.
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If you look at the yards per play, Texas was actually very competitive. In the August game, the Longhorns outgained the Buckeyes in total yardage (336 to 203). Let that sink in. They had over 130 more yards but lost because of red-zone inefficiency and a couple of back-breaking penalties.
It wasn't a talent gap; it was an execution gap in the "money" moments.
Moving Forward: What's Next for Both Teams?
If you're a Texas fan, don't panic. Losing twice to a program like Ohio State is tough, but the Longhorns proved they belong on the same field as the absolute best. Arch Manning is only going to get better, and the move to the SEC has clearly toughened up their roster.
For Ohio State, these wins solidified their status as the gold standard of the 2025 season. They showed they can win a shootout in a dome and a muddy grind in the rain.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans:
- Re-watch the Jack Sawyer fumble return: It's the defining play of the 2024-25 season.
- Track the Big Ten/SEC rivalry: These games are becoming the new barometer for national title contention.
- Watch the 2026 recruiting trail: Both schools are currently battling for the top offensive tackle prospects, which is where these games were actually won and lost.
The rivalry is just getting started. With the way the playoff is structured now, don't be surprised if we see a third installment sooner than later.