(Photo: COSM)
Saturday Spotlight
(1) Texas Longhorns at (3) Ohio State Buckeyes
Texas:
For years, Texas was searching for a Head Coach who could both stick and stand out. Quite honestly, it’s never easy replacing a Hall of Famer like Mack Brown. In 2021, Steve Sarkisian was hired, and he’s taken full advantage of the opportunity. Since his arrival, the Longhorns have posted a 38-17 record over four seasons, won a Big 12 championship, and made two consecutive College Football Playoff appearances. Like many top programs, Texas has lost key players either to the NFL or the transfer portal. Notable departures include Matthew Golden, Gunnar Helm, Jaydon Blue, and Jahdae Barron. And of course, there’s Quinn Ewers. But now, “Arch Madness” has arrived—referring to Arch Manning, nephew of Peyton and Eli. It’s his time to lead Sark’s offense in Austin. I truly believe Texas can be one of the top five teams in the nation. With a proven Head Coach, a highly regarded quarterback in Arch, and a defense returning stars like Colin Simmons and Anthony Hill Jr., the pieces are in place. Not only can they be a top-four seed in the College Football Playoff, but they have the potential to reach—and win—the National Championship. The only concern I have with Texas is their occasional inconsistency; they don’t always play up to their potential. Today, they’ll face the team that won last year’s national title—Ohio State—in a massive showdown in Columbus.
Ohio State:
I say this every year—whether it’s the NFL or college football—it’s not about which team has the best record entering the playoffs. It’s about who plays the best when it matters most. Ohio State saved their best football for a deep playoff run in December and January. If you’ve ever watched a team firing on all cylinders and thought, “That’s a team I wouldn’t want to face,” then you understand what I saw when they got revenge against Oregon in the Rose Bowl. That’s when I knew they would win it all. The offense clicked, the defense dominated, and they became almost unbeatable. Yes, the Buckeyes lost several key veterans—Will Howard, TreVeyon Henderson, Quinshon Judkins, and Emeka Egbuka—but the return of Jeremiah Smith and Caleb Downs gives this team a fighting chance. I also want to give credit to Ryan Day. Many were calling for his job after the loss to Michigan last November, but he bounced back and brought a national title back to Columbus—the first since Urban Meyer’s era. Everything still runs through Ohio State in the Big Ten. Despite ushering in a new quarterback, I like their chances to at least share the conference title, especially with question marks surrounding Michigan and other contenders. They now welcome the Texas Longhorns to The Shoe for a huge Week 1 showdown.
Texas X-Factor: Quintrevion Wisner-
With Jaydon Blue gone to the NFL, Quintrevion Wisner steps up as RB1. I watched my share of Texas games last year, and when they fed him the ball, the offense was noticeably more balanced and effective. He’s elusive in traffic, has reliable hands for check-downs, and enters his junior year as a veteran presence in the offense.
Ohio State X-Factor: Brandon Inniss-
The Buckeyes always seem to reload at wide receiver. With Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate as the top two, Brandon Inniss will likely emerge as the No. 3 option. He may not be the athletic marvel that Smith is, but he’s a precise route runner who consistently creates separation. Expect him to become a go-to target for new quarterback Julian Sayin—just like Carnell Tate was for Will Howard in 2024.
Final Thoughts:
These two teams last met in January’s Cotton Bowl with a trip to the national title game on the line. Ohio State didn’t play their best, but Texas failed to capitalize on key opportunities. The Buckeyes made one more play when it mattered—sealed by a Jack Sawyer strip sack and fumble recovery. Now, more than seven months later, they meet again to open the new season. Both teams will look different from their previous matchup. I’ll be watching closely to see how each Head Coach integrates a new quarterback. I expect a heavy dose of the ground game early on to control tempo and manage nerves. For Texas, the key will be finishing drives and not leaving points on the field. Defensively, they must force Ohio State to earn every yard and limit explosive plays. Ohio State, meanwhile, must prove they can run the ball effectively without the Judkins-Henderson tandem. Chip Kelly, who brilliantly integrated the run last season as OC, will have to adjust. This is a huge statement game for both programs—and I don’t think it’ll be the last time we see these two teams face off this year. I like the Longhorns to set the tone for their season and earn a massive road win in Columbus.
Prediction:
Texas 24, Ohio State 20
