The 2002 season opens with Pigskin Classic XIII in the recently renovated 101,568-seat Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. Hosting this year's contest are the Buckeyes of Ohio State University. They will face the Red Raiders of Texas Tech University.

Ohio State completed the 2001 season with a 7-5 record and an appearance in the Outback Bowl versus the University of South Carolina. The Buckeyes finished third in the Big Ten at 5-3. The highlight of the Ohio State season was the regular-season finale, when they defeated their archrival, the University of Michigan, in Ann Arbor for the first time since 1987. Texas Tech also completed the season at 7-5. The Red Raiders finished third in the Big 12 South Division at 4-4 and capped the season with an appearance in the Alamo Bowl versus the University of Iowa. The Texas Tech offense highlighted the year, ranking first in the country in pass completions and fifth in passing offense.

This is Ohio State's second appearance in the Pigskin Classic. The Buckeyes defeated Fresno State in 1994. Ohio State also played in NACDA's Kickoff Classic three times, beating Boston College in 1995 and losing to Alabama in 1986 and Miami (Fla.) in 1999. Texas Tech is making its first appearance in a NACDA Preseason Game.