Less than 24 hours remain until kickoff between the No. 1-ranked Texas Longhorns and the No. 3-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes. This matchup represents one of the most anticipated games of the new season, with College Football Playoff implications hanging in the balance.
When games this big roll around, one familiar face always seems to find his way to the sidelines, cheering on the Longhorns.
Will Matthew McConaughey Be at the Texas vs. Ohio State Showdown?
Of course, he will be there. The Academy Award-winning actor’s attendance was confirmed on The Stampede podcast, where the news broke with typical enthusiasm.
“I guarantee you Matthew McConaughey is gonna be on the sidelines,” said former Ohio State quarterback Cardale Jones. Former Longhorns head coach Mack Brown responded with his own tribute, hooting “alright, alright alright!” in classic McConaughey fashion.
McConaughey’s presence goes beyond just showing up to cheer. The University of Texas’s unofficial “Minister of Culture” also recorded and posted a motivational video for the Longhorns on Friday, delivering the kind of inspirational message that has become his trademark.
What Did McConaughey’s Message Reveal About This Texas Team?
“I’m really excited about the entire season, but specifically about this University of Texas Longhorn football team, 2025,” McConaughey said in his message.
“This team has real confident and quiet belief in themselves. I believe they’re on a mission. Regardless of a No. 1 ranking, regardless of all the hype. All the hype in the No. 1 ranking is neither validation nor a curse to this team. They’re above and beyond that before any of us even said they were No. 1 preseason ranked or got all the hype around.”
The actor emphasized the team’s mental approach, highlighting what separates championship-caliber squads from those that crumble under pressure.
“That’s what any great championship team’s gotta have. They gotta have their own reason and mission that they’re on, regardless of what anyone else thinks. Whether they’re someone jumping on the bandwagon, or whether they’re over here cat-calling from the stands, being a naysayer, this team doesn’t give a damn about all that bull****. They got a mission they’re on, they believe it, they’re ready to earn it.”
Longhorn football… no bullshit.@texasfootball @texaslonghorns pic.twitter.com/6JrX90sfBh
— Matthew McConaughey (@McConaughey) August 29, 2025
McConaughey’s connection to Texas runs deep, extending far beyond his celebrity status. He graduated from the University of Texas with a degree in film in 1993, beginning a relationship with the school that has only grown stronger over the decades.
His breakout role came as the character Wooderson in Richard Linklater’s film Dazed and Confused, where he coined the phrases “alright, alright, alright,” and “just keep livin’.”
That early success launched him into a string of romantic comedies and dramas that eventually led to his Oscar-winning performance as Ron Woodruff in Dallas Buyers Club in 2013.
Beyond his Hollywood career, the Texas native has remained deeply invested in Austin’s community and sports scene. He holds minority ownership in Austin FC, the city’s Major League Soccer team, and maintains his loyalty as a longtime fan of the Washington Commanders in the NFL.
McConaughey stays actively involved in multiple charitable organizations throughout Austin while serving as one of the most visible supporters of the UT athletic program.
With McConaughey bringing his energy to the sidelines, the Longhorns will look to channel that positive momentum as they prepare to enter the hostile environment of The Horseshoe in Columbus, Ohio. His presence serves as both an inspiration and a reminder of what this program means to its most dedicated supporters.