This Saturday, the highly anticipated college football clash between Ohio State and Texas will take place, marking a significant event in the early season.
The top-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes will face off against the No. 4 Texas Longhorns at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, with kickoff scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET on ABC.
In their previous two encounters, the Buckeyes (1-0 SU, 1-0 ATS) emerged victorious against the Longhorns (1-0 SU, 1-0 ATS). Will this be the moment for head coach Steve Sarkisian and his Texas squad to seek revenge? Both teams are coming off impressive victories against weaker opponents in Week 1.
Last season, Ohio State triumphed over Texas with a score of 14-7 on their home turf, and they aim to secure a third consecutive win with a victory in Austin.
In terms of betting odds, Ohio State is favored at Kalshi. Sarkisian has yet to defeat Ryan Day in their coaching matchups, holding a 0-2 record. Both teams boast Heisman Trophy contenders, with QB Julian Sayin and WR Jeremiah Smith leading the Buckeyes' offense, while Texas's offensive efforts are spearheaded by quarterback Arch Manning.
Ohio State continued its winning streak with a 56-3 victory over Ball State, marking their 27th consecutive opening game win. Texas also showcased their strength with a dominant 59-7 win against Texas State. With those preliminary games behind them, the stage is set for this monumental matchup.
Manning, who threw for 305 yards and four touchdowns in the opener, has a skilled receiving corps, including Ryan Wingo, who recorded seven catches for 121 yards and a touchdown against Texas State. Auburn transfer Cam Coleman made a notable entrance in his Texas debut, scoring two touchdowns on three receptions. The lead running back, Hollywood Smothers, a North Carolina State transfer, led the team with 70 rushing yards in the opener.
In Ohio State's win over Ball State, Sayin spread the ball effectively, connecting with 14 different players for at least one catch. Smith stood out with 151 receiving yards and two touchdown catches, while UTSA transfer Devin McCuin added six catches for 97 yards and a touchdown.
The Buckeyes averaged an impressive 6.8 yards per carry, with Bo Jackson and Ja’Kobi Jackson both contributing 83 rushing yards and long touchdown runs.
This game has all the elements of a classic encounter, likely to be determined by the defensive performance of each team. Texas boasts one of the strongest front-sevens in college football, featuring standout players like edge rusher Colin Simmons and linebacker Rasheem Biles. Ohio State transfer Hero Kanui is also a significant presence on the defensive line, having recorded three tackles against Texas State.
Despite losing three players to the NFL, Matt Patricia's defense remains formidable. The Buckeyes' linebacking unit, led by Payton Pierce, TJ Alford, and Riley Pettijohn, will be crucial, especially since Pettijohn led the team with six tackles in their win over Ball State. Additionally, Alabama transfer Qua Russ is expected to return from injury and play against Texas.
Ohio State will need to apply more pressure on Manning, who was sacked only once in their last matchup. This will be vital for a younger secondary, featuring sophomore Devin Sanchez and freshman Jay Timmons at cornerback. Manning may look to exploit these matchups in the passing game with Wingo and Coleman, which could be pivotal this Saturday. Conversely, Texas faces the challenge of containing Sayin and Smith on the offensive side.