This is the heavyweight fight of Week 2.
Ohio State enters Austin ranked No. 1 in the country after dismantling Ball State 56-3. Texas moved up to No. 4 following a 59-7 victory over Texas State.
Neither opener told us much. Both teams overwhelmed opponents that had no chance of matching their talent.
This week, we find out who is real.
QUARTERBACK
Ohio State: Julian Sayin
Texas: Arch Manning
This is a hell of a quarterback matchup.
Sayin is the more polished passer at this point. He processes the field quickly, throws with anticipation and has already demonstrated that he can direct an offense filled with elite talent.
Manning gives Texas more physically. He has the stronger arm, greater mobility and the ability to create offense when a play breaks down. He completed 20 of 27 passes for 305 yards in the opener and looked much more comfortable controlling Steve Sarkisian’s offense.
The difference is Manning’s ability to become part of the running game. Against a defense as talented as Ohio State’s, those extra yards outside the structure of the offense could be critical.
ADVANTAGE: TEXAS
RUNNING BACK
Ohio State: Bo Jackson and Isaiah West
Texas: Raleek Brown and the Longhorns’ rotation
Texas has speed, but the injury to Derrek Cooper leaves questions about the depth and physicality of its backfield.
Ohio State has a deeper and more complete group. Bo Jackson can run through contact, produce explosive plays and carry the offense if the passing game is temporarily slowed. Isaiah West gives the Buckeyes another talented option without forcing them to change their offensive identity.
Texas will need Manning’s legs to supplement its traditional running game.
ADVANTAGE: OHIO STATE
WIDE RECEIVER
Ohio State: Jeremiah Smith, Brandon Inniss and company
Texas: Ryan Wingo, Cam Coleman, Emmett Mosley and Sterling Berkhalter
Texas has assembled an outstanding collection of receivers. Wingo can stretch a defense, Coleman provides size and athletic ability, and the Longhorns have enough depth to create favorable matchups.
Ohio State has Jeremiah Smith.
Smith caught eight passes for 151 yards and two touchdowns in the first half against Ball State. He may be the best player in college football, regardless of position. Texas cannot guard him with one defensive back and expect to survive.
The frightening part is that Ohio State still has quality receivers around him. If Texas dedicates additional coverage to Smith, Sayin will have favorable matchups everywhere else.
Texas has one of the country’s best receiving rooms. Ohio State’s is still better.
ADVANTAGE: OHIO STATE
TIGHT END
Neither team enters this game with an established superstar at tight end.
Ohio State has size and athletic ability at the position, but the tight ends primarily complement the Buckeyes’ receivers and running game. Texas is replacing Jack Endries and is still determining exactly how much production it can get from its new rotation.
The Longhorns may use the position more creatively, but Ohio State appears slightly more dependable as a blocking unit.
ADVANTAGE: OHIO STATE, SLIGHTLY
OFFENSIVE LINE
Texas returns quality pieces in Trevor Goosby, Connor Robertson and Brandon Baker, but the Longhorns still have uncertainty at left guard. Dylan Sikorski and Laurence Seymore split work in the opener, and Ohio State represents an enormous jump in competition.
That is not the opponent you want to face while still trying to determine your best five linemen.
Ohio State has size, depth and enough experience to protect Sayin while establishing the ground game. The Buckeyes should be more settled across the entire unit.
Texas can hold up, particularly with the home crowd behind it, but Ohio State has fewer questions entering the matchup.
ADVANTAGE: OHIO STATE
DEFENSIVE LINE AND EDGE
This is where Texas can change the game.
Colin Simmons may be the most disruptive edge defender on either roster. He has the speed and explosiveness to wreck protections, force Sayin off his spot and keep Ohio State from becoming comfortable.
Hero Kanu and Alex January give the Longhorns size and strength inside. Texas has enough depth to rotate bodies and remain aggressive late in the game.
Ohio State also has a talented and deep defensive front, with Kenyatta Jackson Jr., Qua Russaw and James Smith among the players capable of creating problems. The Buckeyes may be deeper overall, but Simmons is the best individual pass rusher in the matchup.
ADVANTAGE: TEXAS, SLIGHTLY
LINEBACKER
Ohio State lost tremendous production from Sonny Styles and Arvell Reese, but the Buckeyes did not leave the cupboard empty.
Payton Pierce is an instinctive and productive player. Christian Alliegro brings experience and physicality, while Riley Pettijohn gives Ohio State another explosive athlete who will be difficult to keep off the field.
Texas counters with Rasheem Biles, Brad Spence and Justin Cryer. Biles was one of the most impactful players in the opener, creating two turnovers and earning SEC Co-Defensive Player of the Week honors.
Texas has more proven production entering this game. Ohio State may eventually develop the better unit, but the Longhorns get the advantage right now.
ADVANTAGE: TEXAS
SECONDARY
Both teams have the athletes to play aggressive man coverage, but neither secondary can afford many mistakes against these receivers.
Ohio State has Earl Little Jr., Jay Timmons and a deep collection of highly recruited defensive backs. Timmons is a freshman, but he already looks capable of becoming a major contributor.
Texas brings experience on the back end with Jelani McDonald and young talent led by Graceson Littleton and Bo Mascoe. The Longhorns have enough length and speed to compete, but covering Jeremiah Smith changes the entire calculation.
Ohio State’s secondary has the slightly easier assignment. Texas has several good receivers to defend, but the Longhorns must build their entire coverage plan around stopping one nearly unguardable player.
ADVANTAGE: OHIO STATE
SPECIAL TEAMS
Texas has a dangerous returner in Ryan Niblett, and one explosive return could change a game expected to remain close.
However, Texas is replacing both its primary kicker and punter from last season. Ohio State appears more stable across the special-teams units and has enough roster depth to load its coverage teams with quality athletes.
Until Texas proves its new specialists can handle pressure, I give the Buckeyes the edge.
ADVANTAGE: OHIO STATE
COACHING
Ryan Day has built one of the deepest rosters in America and has proven that Ohio State can win on the biggest stage.
Steve Sarkisian remains one of the best offensive play-callers in college football. He understands how to create favorable matchups, manipulate linebackers and manufacture easy throws for his quarterback.
This game is in Austin, Manning gives Sarkisian a mobile quarterback, and Texas will need its coach to find ways to neutralize Ohio State’s talent advantage at several positions.
Day is the more accomplished head coach, but Sarkisian gets the slight edge in this particular matchup because of his ability to design offense against an elite defense.
ADVANTAGE: TEXAS, SLIGHTLY
POSITIONAL SCORECARD
Quarterback: Texas
Running back: Ohio State
Wide receiver: Ohio State
Tight end: Ohio State
Offensive line: Ohio State
Defensive line/edge: Texas
Linebacker: Texas
Secondary: Ohio State
Special teams: Ohio State
Coaching: Texas
Ohio State wins the position comparison 6-4.
THE MATCHUP THAT DECIDES IT
Texas’ offensive line against Ohio State’s defensive front will determine this game.
If the Longhorns protect Manning and establish enough of a running game to keep Ohio State honest, Texas can win. Sarkisian will create opportunities, and Manning has the physical ability to take advantage of them.
If Ohio State gets pressure without blitzing, the Buckeyes can keep extra defenders in coverage and force Manning to make patient decisions throughout the game.
On the other side, Texas must prevent Smith from taking over. The Longhorns do not have to shut him down completely—that may be impossible—but they cannot allow him to produce multiple explosive touchdowns.
THE PICK
Texas has home-field advantage, an elite quarterback and enough defensive talent to make this a four-quarter fight.
Ohio State is deeper, more settled and holds the advantage at more positions. The Buckeyes can run the football, protect Sayin and create favorable matchups whenever Texas commits additional defenders to Smith.
Texas will land some punches. Manning will make plays, and Sarkisian will have a few wrinkles that give Ohio State problems.
But over four quarters, Ohio State’s depth wins out.
OHIO STATE 31, TEXAS 27
