# GameDay picks Texas, all four of them

> Every College GameDay picker took the Longhorns over the No. 1 Buckeyes, and Nick Saban was one of them.
- Title: GameDay picks Texas, all four of them · Texas Longhorns On SI
- Summary: Every College GameDay picker took the Longhorns over the No. 1 Buckeyes, and Nick Saban was one of them. The whole GameDay desk, Saban included, went with…
- Keywords: college football, texas longhorns, ohio state, college gameday, nick saban, sports, GameDay, picks, Texas, all, four, them
- Source: Texas Longhorns On SI — https://si.com/college/texas/football/college-gameday-makes-official-predictions-for-texas-vs-ohio-state
- Published: 2026-09-12T16:12:47+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: college football, texas longhorns, ohio state, college gameday, nick saban, sports
## No. 4 hosts No. 1
Texas welcomes Ohio State to Austin on Saturday night, the biggest regular season game in a while. Third meeting between them in three seasons.
## Texas is 0-2 in this series
The Longhorns have lost both recent matchups and want the record straightened out at home.
## The Cotton Bowl still stings
Ohio State beat Texas 28-14 in the 2024 College Football Playoff semifinal in Dallas. That is the loss driving this one.
## GameDay set up in Austin
ESPN's crew came to campus Saturday morning to preview the top-five game and lock in final picks.
## Who was on the panel
Desmond Howard, Rece Davis, Pat McAfee and Nick Saban made picks, with actor Glen Powell as celebrity guest.
## Herbstreit sat this one out
Kirk Herbstreit skipped an official prediction because he is calling the game for ESPN on ABC.
## Howard takes the Longhorns
The former Michigan star said Sarkisian's staff finally has every piece and this is the night Texas announces itself.

> They got all the pieces to the puzzle. Can they put the puzzle together tonight against the No. 1-ranked team in the country?
## McAfee talks himself into Texas
He credited Ohio State's quarterback, its top receiver and Ryan Day's title, then picked against them anyway.

> But give me Arch Manning and (Cam) Coleman to get a huge win today.
## Powell picks his own school
The lifelong Longhorn backed Sark and Arch, and said he wants to be celebrating in Vegas in January.

> I believe that this team has the potential to go all the way.
## Saban goes with Texas too
He called Ohio State consistent and No. 1 for good reason, then said the Longhorns have done what it takes to move up a level.

> But I think Texas has done all the things that they need to do to take it to the next level.
## A clean sweep for Texas
Four picks, four Longhorns. Nobody on the desk took the top-ranked team on the road.
## Key takeaway

The whole GameDay desk, Saban included, went with Texas at home despite Ohio State being ranked first and holding a 2-0 edge in the series.