ESPN's David Hale believes the Ohio State Buckeyes and Texas Longhorns are 1 and 1A as the likeliest teams to make the 2025/2026 College Football Playoff, despite the two programs locking up during Week 1 of the regular season.
As Hale notes, this matchup has become an appetizer after previously serving as an appetizer matchup.
"In another era, this game wouldn't just be the marquee event of the opening weekend but a turning point in the season. The loser would then face another 11 games while residing on a knife's edge.