The Texas Longhorns and the Ohio State Buckeyes face off for the second consecutive year in what has quickly become one of college football’s biggest matchups. This game could have playoff implications, as it did last year when controversy surrounded Texas missing the postseason. Texas is 2-3 all-time against Ohio State and has lost the last two matchups, but now they will look to even the All-time series at three. (Texas)
Arch Manning looks to have a better game this time after struggling in their last matchup, when both offenses struggled in a defensive battle. Although it was a weaker opponent, Manning looked more comfortable in the first game last week than he looked all of last year; he didn’t once look flustered.
The Longhorns have lost the last two matchups against the Buckeyes in heartbreak. Let’s not forget how the 2024 Cotton Bowl game ended: Texas was at the one-yard line with a chance to tie the game and force overtime, but failed. That goal-line stand by Ohio State ultimately ended in Jack Sawyer strip-sacking Quinn Ewers and running it back for a touchdown to make the final score 28-14. (ESPN)
Then last year, Ohio State won 14-7 in a low-scoring defensive battle where neither quarterback could really get much going; Arch Manning threw for just 170 yards, and Julian Sayin threw for just 126 yards. (ESPN) The pressure is on Arch Manning and the Texas Longhorns to get over the hump against the Ohio State Buckeyes after back-to-back heartbreaks over the last two years.
Arch Manning is in a whole different situation this time around with a more reliable receiving core. Ryan Wingo and Cam Coleman dominated in the opener, with Wingo receiving 121 yards on an average of 17.3 yards per reception and Coleman receiving for 70 yards on an average of 23.3 yards per catch. (ESPN)
Last year, Texas receivers had some dropping issues, but now they have two reliable options who can make big plays. Look for Manning to target Coleman on 3rd downs; his 6-foot-3, 204-pound frame makes him a tough cover. (247Sports) While defenders worry about the big Cam Coleman, speedy receiver Ryan Wingo may at times have a one-on-one opportunity to beat his matchup down the field, giving Arch a serious threat against Ohio State.
Longhorns also improved their run game with Hollywood Smothers, who has 70 rushing yards on just 10 carries. Look for Texas to run the ball a lot more against the Buckeyes; the ground game will be key to getting the passing game going against a great defense.
The Ohio State defense is no joke; it has been one of the best defenses in the country over the last few years. They keep adding great players to their defense, and the last two times Texas has played them, they scored only 14 and 7. If the Longhorns want any shot to win, they’ll have to put up a minimum of 21 points; if they have anything under that, they will be in trouble once again.
Arch will need to watch out for Ohio State cornerback Devin Sanchez and safety Jaylen McClain; if he throws it anywhere near either of them, it could end in tragedy. Sanchez will most likely be on either Wingo or Coleman trying to take one of them out of the game, meaning the other will have an opportunity to have a big game. He will still need to be careful because McClain will be all over the field trying to make plays happen.
If Manning can take care of the ball and help the offense reach that mark, they will be in good shape. We haven’t even talked about Ohio State’s offense and how the Texas defense will have to stay on point. They have sophomore running back Bo Jackson, who is a beast at 6’0, 218 pounds, and can run through a defense. He had 80 yards on just 9 carries in the first game. (ESPN)
They also have another monster at running back Ja’Kobe Jackson, who is 6’0, 219 pounds, and he had 83 yards on just 8 carries. Look for these two big running backs to get a lot more touches in order to wear down this Texas defense. If Ohio State starts wearing down the Longhorns’ defense and the defenders start looking tired, it’ll open up the passing game for the Buckeyes.
Texas will have to shut down the run game early and force Ohio State to pass early. This could be another defensive battle between the two teams and come down to whoever’s defense gets gassed first. While Ohio State’s running game could cause problems for Texas, the Longhorns also have to worry about what the Buckeyes can do through the air.
Julian Sayin threw for 320 yards on 21-of-25 with 3 touchdowns; Jeremiah Smith caught 8 of those passes for 151 yards and two touchdowns. Last year Texas played good defense against Jeremiah Smith, holding him to just 43 yards on six catches. (ESPN) If the Longhorns can play great defense against Smith again, they’ll be in a good spot, but that’s a lot tougher than it sounds.
Smith is a big receiver at 6’4, 222 pounds and can make spectacular catches. The defense of Texas will have to be locked in from start to finish and not give Smith any breathing room, because as soon as the Longhorns slip up just a little, Jeremiah Smith can turn it into a big play. It will be interesting to see which offense looks more comfortable and ready in the moment, and which defense breaks first.
I believe Texas will get over the hump and end the Ohio State Buckeyes’ two-game winning streak against them. We’re going to see a more ready, comfortable Arch Manning, with better weapons at receiver and at running back. The balanced attack of the Longhorns could cause problems for the Buckeyes’ defense.
This game could quite possibly come down to the defensive lines, where I have more trust in Texas’ defensive line than Ohio State’s. It’ll be a close game down to the very end once again, and I believe that Texas is going to pull it off this time. Arch has new swag, a different kind of confidence that gives all the Texas faithful a really good feeling about this season.
I predict a 21-14 Texas win, with Ohio State having a chance to tie at the end and the Longhorns’ defense getting one last stop. Texas must protect the pass well against an aggressive defense and keep Arch from getting hit. They will have to avoid 3rd-and-long situations and keep moving forward rather than backward.
That also includes penalties: win the penalty battle and get fewer penalties than Ohio State; every penalty in a game like this will be costly. Using the run game to wear down Ohio State’s defensive line will be crucial, but the running backs will also need to break off a decent run here and there to succeed. A successful run game leads to a successful pass game, and the balanced attack could prove too much for the Buckeyes.
Most importantly, the defensive line has to be aggressive and keep Julian Sayin from getting enough time to find Jeremiah Smith downfield. If the Longhorns can do all this, then they’ll be ok; the minor mistakes in a huge game like this will be crucial to avoid; every yard and penalty matters. This will be another hard-fought defensive battle, and whoever wins the turnover battle will most likely win.
Arch Manning is looking to prove himself after how last season played out, and Julian Sayin is trying to prove that he belongs in the Heisman Award conversation. Both defenses are dominant and strong against the run and the pass. This will be yet another Texas vs. Ohio State matchup the world will want to see; the anticipation is huge.
Whoever wins will be talked about as a title contender, and whoever loses will be told they have to win the rest of their games to make the playoffs. There’s a lot riding on this game, and everyone is here for it. The world will be watching to see what happens and how this top 5 matchup plays out.
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