Ohio State Football Today: Texas Live Score, 2026 Schedule, Ranking, Roster & Next Game
Ohio State Football Today: Live Score vs Texas, Schedule, Ranking & Next Game
Ohio State football entered Week 2 as the No. 1 team in the country, and the Buckeyes are already facing one of the biggest tests on their 2026 schedule: a road matchup against No. 4 Texas in Austin.
At the latest live update available, Ohio State leads Texas 13-3 late in the second quarter, with the Buckeyes scoring the game’s first 10 points before Texas responded with a field goal. ESPN’s live game tracker showed 1:41 remaining in the first half at that update.
The matchup follows Ohio State’s dominant 56-3 season-opening win over Ball State, when quarterback Julian Sayin threw for 320 yards and three touchdowns and star wide receiver Jeremiah Smith produced another explosive performance.
With Sayin, Smith, Bo Jackson and a talented defense leading the way, Ohio State once again enters the season as a legitimate Big Ten and College Football Playoff contender.
Ohio State vs Texas Live Score
Latest available score:
| Team | Score |
|---|---|
| No. 1 Ohio State | 13 |
| No. 4 Texas | 3 |
| Game status | Late 2nd quarter at latest update |
Ohio State opened the scoring with a 26-yard Connor Hawkins field goal before Ja’Kobi Jackson scored on an 8-yard touchdown run.
Texas answered with a 37-yard field goal from Gianni Spetic, but Hawkins added another field goal to give the Buckeyes a 13-3 advantage.
Because the game is still in progress at the latest verified update, the score should be refreshed after the final whistle.
Why Ohio State vs Texas Matters
This is much more than an ordinary early-season nonconference game.
Ohio State entered the week ranked No. 1 in the AP Top 25, while Texas was No. 4. The Buckeyes received 46 of 69 first-place votes after their Week 1 victory.
The matchup also represents the third Ohio State-Texas meeting in less than two years.
Ohio State defeated Texas 14-7 in Columbus in 2025, after also beating the Longhorns 28-14 in the College Football Playoff semifinal following the 2024 season.
That recent history has transformed what was once an occasional intersectional matchup into one of college football’s most compelling current rivalries.
Ohio State Football Ranking
Ohio State entered Week 2 ranked:
No. 1 in the AP Top 25
The Buckeyes remained on top after their 56-3 win against Ball State.
Behind Ohio State in the poll were Georgia, Notre Dame and Texas among the leading national contenders.
The ranking could become even more secure if Ohio State finishes off a road win over a top-five Texas team.
A loss would not necessarily eliminate the Buckeyes from College Football Playoff contention, but it would create an early résumé challenge.
Ohio State Football Record
Ohio State entered the Texas game with a:
1-0 record
Its Week 1 result:
Ohio State 56, Ball State 3
The Buckeyes dominated both sides of the ball and produced several explosive offensive plays.
The official Ohio State schedule lists the Ball State win as the team’s first result of the 2026 season.
Julian Sayin Leads the Ohio State Offense
Quarterback Julian Sayin enters 2026 as one of the most important players on the roster.
Sayin began the season by completing an impressive performance against Ball State:
320 passing yards
3 passing touchdowns
while also adding a rushing touchdown.
The junior quarterback is listed at 6-foot-1 and 214 pounds on Ohio State’s official roster.
Sayin’s ability to distribute the ball efficiently becomes especially dangerous because Ohio State surrounds him with one of the deepest groups of skill players in college football.
Jeremiah Smith Remains Ohio State’s Biggest Star
Wide receiver Jeremiah Smith remains the centerpiece of Ohio State’s passing game.
Smith entered the season after producing:
87 receptions
1,243 receiving yards
and:
12 total touchdowns in 2025.
His first two collegiate seasons produced 2,558 receiving yards and 27 touchdown catches, according to Ohio State.
He immediately picked up where he left off against Ball State.
Smith caught two touchdown passes in the 56-3 victory, including a 48-yard touchdown from Sayin.
Ohio State’s official roster lists Smith as a 6-foot-4, 222-pound junior.
Those physical tools, combined with his ball skills and ability after the catch, make him one of college football’s premier offensive players.
Bo Jackson Gives Ohio State Another Major Weapon
Running back Bo Jackson is another player to watch throughout the 2026 season.
Jackson entered the year as a preseason first-team All-Big Ten selection alongside Sayin and Smith.
He opened the season with 83 rushing yards against Ball State and broke a 65-yard touchdown run in the third quarter.
Ohio State’s running back room also includes Ja’Kobi Jackson, who scored the Buckeyes’ first touchdown against Texas.
Having multiple productive backs gives Ryan Day flexibility to balance the offense rather than relying entirely on Sayin and the passing game.
Ohio State Football Key Players in 2026
| Player | Position | Why he matters |
|---|---|---|
| Julian Sayin | QB | Starting quarterback and offensive leader |
| Jeremiah Smith | WR | Elite playmaker and major award candidate |
| Bo Jackson | RB | Leading running back |
| Ja’Kobi Jackson | RB | Experienced complementary back |
| Payton Pierce | LB | Key defensive playmaker |
| Jaylen McClain | S | Leader in secondary |
| Jermaine Mathews Jr. | CB | Experienced cornerback |
| Kenyatta Jackson Jr. | DE | Veteran edge defender |
Sayin, Bo Jackson, Smith, Pierce and McClain were all preseason first-team All-Big Ten selections by The Athletic.
Ohio State’s official roster provides the full 2026 personnel list.
Ohio State Football Schedule 2026
Ohio State has one of the most interesting schedules in college football this season.
| Date | Opponent | Location | TV/Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sept. 5 | Ball State | Columbus | W, 56-3 |
| Sept. 12 | at Texas | Austin | ABC, 7:30 p.m. ET |
| Sept. 19 | Kent State | Columbus | FOX, Noon |
| Sept. 26 | Illinois | Columbus | TBA |
| Oct. 3 | at Iowa | Iowa City | TBA |
| Oct. 10 | Maryland | Columbus | TBA |
| Oct. 17 | at Indiana | Bloomington | TBA |
| Oct. 24 | Off | — | — |
| Oct. 31 | at USC | Los Angeles | TBA |
| Nov. 7 | Oregon | Columbus | TBA |
| Nov. 14 | Northwestern | Columbus | TBA |
| Nov. 21 | at Nebraska | Lincoln | TBA |
| Nov. 28 | Michigan | Columbus | FOX, Noon |
The schedule is confirmed by Ohio State Athletics, with additional kickoff times and networks expected to be announced throughout the season.
When Is Ohio State’s Next Game?
After Texas, Ohio State returns to Ohio Stadium to play Kent State.
Kent State vs Ohio State
Date: Saturday, September 19, 2026
Kickoff: Noon ET
Venue: Ohio Stadium, Columbus
TV: FOX
Ohio State has historically dominated opponents from within the state.
The program entered 2026 with a long unbeaten run against other Ohio schools and has never lost to an Ohio opponent at Ohio Stadium.
Ohio State’s Toughest Games in 2026
Texas may be the first major challenge, but it is far from the last.
at Indiana — October 17
Indiana enters the season as another major Big Ten contender after reaching the top tier of college football.
A road trip to Bloomington could have significant conference implications.
at USC — October 31
Playing USC in Los Angeles gives Ohio State another major road test.
Travel and the Trojans’ offensive talent make this one of the most intriguing games on the schedule.
Oregon — November 7
Oregon visits Ohio Stadium in November.
Although Oregon suffered an early upset loss to Oklahoma State, the Ducks remain one of the Big Ten’s most talented teams. Oklahoma State defeated Oregon 39-31 in Week 2.
Michigan — November 28
The regular season ends with The Game.
Michigan visits Columbus for a noon kickoff on FOX.
Regardless of rankings or records, Ohio State-Michigan remains one of the defining games of the college football season.
Can Ohio State Make the College Football Playoff?
Ohio State entered 2026 as one of the country’s leading playoff contenders.
The roster has elite talent at several premium positions:
quarterback,
wide receiver,
offensive line,
linebacker,
and secondary.
The schedule also provides numerous opportunities to build a strong résumé.
Texas, Indiana, USC, Oregon and Michigan give the Buckeyes several potential high-quality wins.
The challenge is surviving that schedule with enough consistency to remain near the top of the national rankings.
Why Ohio State’s Offense Could Be Elite
Ohio State’s offensive ceiling starts with the Sayin-Smith combination.
Sayin gives the Buckeyes an experienced quarterback capable of distributing the ball accurately.
Smith forces defenses to devote additional coverage toward one receiver.
That creates opportunities elsewhere.
Bo Jackson and Ja’Kobi Jackson give Ohio State a legitimate rushing threat, while the receiving corps also includes players such as Devin McCuin, Brandon Inniss, Kyle Parker and highly regarded freshman Chris Henry Jr.
Against Ball State, that depth was obvious.
Ohio State scored 56 points, and multiple players produced touchdowns.
Ohio State’s Defense Could Decide the Season
The Buckeyes’ biggest games may ultimately be decided by defense.
Ohio State surrendered only three points to Ball State in Week 1.
The defense held the Cardinals to 165 total yards, according to ESPN’s postgame reporting.
Against Texas, the Buckeyes again started strongly by forcing early mistakes and preventing the Longhorns from finding the end zone through the first portion of the game.
For a team with playoff ambitions, maintaining that defensive efficiency against Big Ten competition will be critical.
Ryan Day Faces Another Championship-Level Schedule
Ryan Day has built Ohio State into one of college football’s most consistently successful programs.
The 2026 schedule, however, leaves very little room for mistakes.
Ohio State must navigate difficult road trips while also hosting Oregon and Michigan late in the season.
The program itself described the schedule as one that should leave the Buckeyes battle tested by the postseason.
That could become an advantage if Ohio State reaches December in playoff position.
Ohio State vs Michigan 2026
One game will receive attention regardless of everything that happens before it:
Michigan at Ohio State
Date: November 28, 2026
Kickoff: Noon ET
TV: FOX
Venue: Ohio Stadium
Ohio State defeated Michigan 27-9 in Ann Arbor in 2025, with Sayin throwing three touchdown passes.
The rivalry returns to Columbus this season.
Depending on how the Big Ten race develops, The Game could again carry conference championship and playoff consequences.
What Ohio State Fans Should Watch Next
The biggest immediate question is the outcome of the Texas game.
Beyond that, several storylines will shape Ohio State’s season:
Can Julian Sayin develop into a national award contender?
Can Jeremiah Smith produce another elite season?
Will the Buckeyes establish a dominant running game?
Can the defense continue limiting explosive plays?
How will Ohio State handle difficult road games?
Can the Buckeyes reach the Big Ten Championship and College Football Playoff?
The answers will determine whether Ohio State simply remains one of the nation’s best teams—or finishes the season with another championship run.
Ohio State Football FAQ
What is the Ohio State football score today?
At the latest verified update, Ohio State leads Texas 13-3 late in the second quarter. Because the game is live, the score can change quickly.
What is Ohio State ranked?
Ohio State entered Week 2 ranked No. 1 in the AP Top 25.
What is Ohio State’s record?
The Buckeyes entered the Texas game 1-0 after defeating Ball State 56-3.
Who is Ohio State’s quarterback?
Julian Sayin is Ohio State’s starting quarterback.
How did Julian Sayin play in Week 1?
Sayin threw for 320 yards and three touchdowns in Ohio State’s 56-3 win over Ball State.
Who is Ohio State’s best receiver?
Jeremiah Smith remains the Buckeyes’ leading star at wide receiver.
Who does Ohio State play next?
Ohio State hosts Kent State on September 19 at noon ET on FOX.
When does Ohio State play Michigan?
Michigan visits Ohio Stadium on November 28 at noon ET on FOX.
Where can I find the Ohio State football schedule?
Ohio State Athletics maintains the official 2026 schedule, including kickoff times and broadcast information as they are announced. Official Ohio State football schedule
Where can I see the Ohio State football roster?
The official roster includes player numbers, positions, heights, weights and eligibility information. Official Ohio State football roster
Bottom Line
Ohio State football enters the heart of the 2026 season as the No. 1-ranked team in the country and one of the leading College Football Playoff contenders.
The Buckeyes opened with a dominant 56-3 win over Ball State, led by Julian Sayin, Jeremiah Smith and a defense that surrendered only three points.
Their second game brings a dramatically harder challenge against No. 4 Texas in Austin.
At the latest live update available, Ohio State leads 13-3 late in the first half.
After Texas, the Buckeyes return home against Kent State before beginning a demanding stretch that includes Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, USC, Oregon, Nebraska and Michigan.
With Sayin directing the offense, Smith among the best receivers in college football and several major games still ahead, Ohio State will remain at the center of the national championship conversation throughout the 2026 season.
