It is round three of the Ohio State versus Texas matchup featuring Ryan Day and Steve Sarkisian. It is the third matchup in 16 months between the two, and it has been an advantage for the Buckeyes, but by a thin margin.

The first game back in the College Football Playoff was an instant classic. A back-and-forth matchup between two veteran teams, and Texas made two critical mistakes that cost them the football game.

Last year's week one matchup was completely the opposite. It was two young teams being led by two quarterbacks who were both getting their first start in the biggest environment possible.

The Buckeyes got the big play when they needed it and just snuck by the Longhorns.

Now, in round three, it will be a game that feels a lot like that CFP game from 2025. These two teams are oozing with experience, and both feel like they must win the football game.

The eyes of College Football will be on this game, and they already have been on Saturday morning. College Gameday is on the campus of Texas, and Steve Sarkisian was on the desk for a 10-minute segment to hype up the game.

Sarkisian is very calculated behind the microphone and always says the right things. There was no bulletin board material passed out, there were no headlines, and there was no hate spewed. The only thing that came out was a head coach who was very complimentary of his opponent and very clearly has genuine respect for Day and the Buckeyes.

Sarkisian started by saying, "This is what this is about... You see those two helmets down there, the branding of these two programs, and what it means for college football. We aren't talking about injunctions and TROs and lawsuits. We are talking about a helluva football game that is going to get played tonight."

"We're not talking about injunctions and TROs and lawsuits. We're talking about a hell of a football game that's gonna get played tonight."
—Coach Steve Sarkisian ahead of Texas' matchup with Ohio State 😅 pic.twitter.com/KoS1t1Ae2y

— College GameDay (@CollegeGameDay) September 12, 2026

In perfect ESPN fashion, that quote was followed up by a segment with Texas Senator Ted Cruz spending 10 minutes talking about all of the things that are awful about college football, but I digress.

Then, Kirk Herbstreit asked Sark how he compares the SEC and Big Ten and specifically, how they prepare for a team like Ohio State.

He answered, "I know this much: what Ryan Day has done... I don't care what conference they are in; they'd be good in any conference... I know, having played these guys for years... they have great talent, they have great schemes, they've got great coaches. They are used to being in this arena, too... Playing these guys, you need to play a complete game."

Coach Sark gives Ryan Day and the Buckeyes high praise ahead of today’s matchup 👏 pic.twitter.com/d56d6QqVFX

— Kirk Herbstreit (@KirkHerbstreit) September 12, 2026

High praise from Sarkisian, who has crossed paths with Day and the Buckeyes multiple times over the past eight years while he has bounced around different spots throughout college football.

Saturday night in Austin is going to be a blast. Everyone is chomping at the bit for game time to finally get here.

Source: Yahoo Sports