COLUMBUS — Here we go again.

For the third time in three seasons, Ohio State and Texas will meet in one of the biggest games on the college football calendar. The Buckeyes defeated the Longhorns 28-14 in the Cotton Bowl during their 2024 national championship run before winning a 14-7 defensive battle at Ohio Stadium last season.

Round 3 takes place Saturday night in Austin.

No. 1 Ohio State and No. 4 Texas both opened the season by dismantling overmatched opponents. The Buckeyes defeated Ball State 56-3, while the Longhorns rolled past Texas State 59-7. But now comes the real test for both teams. With the eyes of the nation watching, the team that plays with poise, makes the fewest mistakes and proves to be the toughest will emerge as the top dog in college football.

Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin looked every bit like a Heisman Trophy candidate in the opener, completing 21 of 25 passes for 320 yards and three touchdowns. Jeremiah Smith looked every bit like a Heisman candidate himself, catching eight passes for 151 yards and two scores—all before halftime—as the Buckeyes finished with nearly 700 yards of offense.

Running backs Bo Jackson and Ja’Kobi Jackson added 83 yards apiece, with each breaking a long touchdown run during the second half. The question is how Ohio State’s offensive line will hold up against a Texas defense with considerably more speed and talent than Ball State. It is no secret that the entire season hinges on how the O-line performs, and Saturday will present a considerable challenge.

On the defensive side of the ball, Ohio State allowed only a field goal in its opener, but they will be without many of the veterans who helped control Manning last season. Defensive coordinator Matt Patricia must find a way to pressure the Texas quarterback without leaving an experienced group of receivers in favorable matchups downfield.

Arch Manning opened the season by throwing for 305 yards and a career-high four touchdowns. Ryan Wingo caught seven passes for 121 yards and a score, helping the Longhorns finish with 516 total yards. Texas also forced three turnovers and has now won 21 of its last 22 games at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium.

The Buckeyes have won the last two meetings, but neither victory will mean much once the ball is kicked Saturday night. Texas has another opportunity to get the Ohio State-sized monkey off its back, while the Buckeyes can establish themselves as the team to beat in college football for another season.

Players to Watch

• Julian Sayin — Sayin was nearly flawless against Ball State, but the degree of difficulty rises dramatically in Austin. Texas will pressure him, disguise coverages and force him to make decisions in a hostile environment. If he remains poised and gets the ball to Ohio State’s playmakers, the Buckeyes should score enough to win.
• Jeremiah Smith — Smith has spent two seasons making elite defenders look ordinary. Texas will almost certainly devote additional attention to him, but completely removing him from the game is another matter. His matchup with the Longhorns’ secondary could determine how aggressive Texas can be elsewhere.
• Offensive Line — Let’s continue beating this dead horse: Everything hinges on the play of the offensive line. We heard all offseason and throughout camp that this unit was different and locked in. It looked anything but in the opener. But as any coach will tell you, the greatest improvement usually happens between the first and second games. Buckeye fans had better hope that is true for this unit because it will need to play huge for Ohio State to leave Austin with a win.

Game Information

Notes

• This will be the sixth meeting between Ohio State and Texas. Both teams have been ranked inside the top 10 in every matchup.
• Ohio State has won the last two meetings and owns a 3-2 advantage in the all-time series.
• The Buckeyes’ only previous trip to Austin came in 2006, when No. 1 Ohio State defeated No. 2 Texas 24-7.
• Ohio State is 22-21-1 all-time when both teams are ranked inside the top five.
• The Buckeyes have won 25 of their last 26 games as the nation’s No. 1 team.
• Texas has won 20 of its 21 home games since the beginning of the 2023 season.
• Ohio State enters a game as an underdog for the first time in 33 games.
• ESPN’s College GameDay will broadcast from Austin before the game.

Prediction

Unlike last season’s defensive struggle, this game should feature considerably more offense. Sayin and Manning are both more experienced, and each quarterback has enough talent around him to punish even a very good defense.

Playing in Austin gives Texas an obvious advantage, but Ohio State has already shown it can handle the Longhorns in a heavyweight fight. The Buckeyes have the best player on the field in Smith, so there’s that. But major questions remain about the offensive line, so expect Texas to attack with varying stunts and games in an effort to discombobulate the Buckeyes and win up front. After all, Sayin cannot find Smith if he is running for his life or lying flat on the field.

If the line can hold up and play to its potential, the Buckeyes will win this game. But I don’t think it will. This unit still needs considerable work to round into form, and Texas will be too much for them to handle. What will make the game even more irritating is that former Buckeye Hero Kanu will probably be one of the players making the most noise.

Because of that, I regret to write that Arch Manning and the Longhorns will exact revenge after losing the last two meetings. But don’t fret, Buckeye fans. While I will write more about the College Football Playoff when it arrives, I expect this to be merely the first meeting between these teams this season. Texas gets us this time, but come playoff time, it will be a different story—and a postseason victory would taste even sweeter after the growing pains of this game.

Final Score: Texas 31, Ohio State 24