In a move that has stunned college football fans and television executives alike, Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian has pulled the plug on the highly anticipated non-conference clash between Texas and Ohio State, originally scheduled to kick off the 2025 college football season. The blockbuster showdown, which was being heavily marketed as FOX’s marquee Week 1 primetime matchup, has now been shelved indefinitely—upending what many considered the crown jewel of the network’s $20 billion college football portfolio.
Sarkisian’s decision, reportedly made unilaterally and against mounting pressure from both FOX Sports and the Big 12 brass, comes just months before the Longhorns officially join the SEC. The timing and abrupt nature of the cancellation have raised eyebrows across the industry and ignited a firestorm of speculation about Sarkisian’s true motivations.
A Shocking Move
Sources close to the Longhorns program revealed that Sarkisian cited “strategic alignment” with the team’s long-term goals as the primary reason for backing out of the Ohio State matchup. “We’re building for something bigger than one game,” Sarkisian reportedly told athletic department officials during a closed-door meeting on Tuesday.
The canceled game was not only a huge financial draw but also a symbolic clash between two of the sport’s most powerful brands. Texas and Ohio State have not met on the field since 2006, and the rematch had all the makings of a classic—top-tier talent, elite coaching, and massive playoff implications. For FOX, which has invested billions in broadcasting rights and digital platforms to anchor its college football coverage, the loss of this game is nothing short of catastrophic.
“This was supposed to be our Super Bowl in September,” said one anonymous FOX Sports executive. “We built an entire marketing campaign around this matchup. Losing it at the eleventh hour is an unprecedented blow.”
Why Sarkisian Made the Call
While no single factor has been publicly confirmed, several theories are circulating around the college football community. Chief among them is Sarkisian’s desire to avoid a brutal early-season test that could derail Texas’s playoff hopes in their first SEC campaign. With the Longhorns set to face a gauntlet of conference opponents like Alabama, Georgia, and LSU later in the season, Sarkisian may have viewed the Ohio State game as an unnecessary risk.
Additionally, whispers from inside the Texas athletic department suggest that internal analytics showed the Buckeyes’ style of play posed a particularly poor matchup for Sarkisian’s offense. Rather than potentially start the season with a high-profile loss, Sarkisian appears to be playing the long game—one that prioritizes sustained playoff contention over headline-grabbing wins.
Fallout Across the Landscape
The decision has sparked outrage among fans, media figures, and even some players, many of whom took to social media to voice their disappointment.
“This is a huge letdown,” tweeted ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit. “College football needs these games, especially with the playoff expanding. Ducking opponents doesn’t help anyone.”
Ohio State Athletic Director Gene Smith released a terse statement Wednesday morning, saying only that the Buckeyes were “extremely disappointed” and were actively seeking a replacement opponent for Week 1. Sources confirm that the Buckeyes are now in discussions with several Power Five programs, though the chances of securing a matchup of equal prestige appear slim given the short timeline.
FOX Scrambles to Rebound
For FOX, the ripple effects could be devastating. The network had poured months of planning and millions of dollars into marketing the Texas–Ohio State clash as its season-defining broadcast. The cancellation threatens not only revenue but also the network’s credibility as the premier destination for college football.
Executives are now frantically reshuffling the Week 1 schedule in search of a viable replacement to fill the gaping hole in its programming. Options are limited, and few matchups can deliver the same level of national intrigue.
What’s Next for Texas?
With Texas now expected to open the season against a lower-tier non-conference opponent, Sarkisian will face increased pressure to justify the move. While a clean win-loss record may appeal to playoff committees, critics argue that avoiding elite competition sends the wrong message for a program seeking to reestablish itself on the national stage.
Regardless of the long-term results, Sarkisian’s gamble has shaken the sport to its core. Whether it’s seen as a brilliant stroke of strategy or an act of cowardice, one thing is clear: the college football landscape has changed—and so has the way business is done.
