Ohio State football owns a 112-12-4 Week 1 record. Take a look at the Buckeyes’ rare ranked season openers and their 2025 clash vs. Texas.

When it comes to college football season openers, few programs match the dominance of the Ohio State Buckeyes. From historic games inside Ohio Stadium to rare heavyweight clashes against ranked opponents, Ohio State has built one of the strongest Week 1 traditions in the sport.

The Buckeyes boast an incredible 112-12-4 all-time record in Week 1 games, a testament to their ability to start fast across generations of Ohio State football. Year after year, the Scarlet and Gray have used opening weekends to establish momentum and set the tone for championship runs.

Despite more than a century of tradition, Ohio State football has only opened the season against a Top-25 opponent four times in program history. Even rarer, just once has the Buckeyes’ first opponent ranked inside the Top 5: the 2022 win over Notre Dame.

Here’s a look back at Ohio State’s ranked season openers:

• 1950: #11 Ohio State vs. #10 SMU — SMU 32, Ohio State 27

• 1999: #9 Ohio State vs. #12 Miami (FL) — Miami 23, Ohio State 12

• 2003: #1 Ohio State vs. #17 Washington — Ohio State 28, Washington 9

• 2022: #2 Ohio State vs. #5 Notre Dame — Ohio State 21, Notre Dame 10

This Saturday in Columbus: The Buckeyes will write a new chapter in their opening-weekend history when No. 3 Ohio State hosts No. 1 Texas at Ohio Stadium. Kickoff is set for Noon ET on FOX as two national championship contenders collide in Columbus. This rematch of the 2024-25 Cotton Bowl Classic promises to be one of the most anticipated games of the 2025 college football season.