The matchup between No. 1 Ohio State and No. 4 Texas will have large implications for their records in the College Football Playoff.
The nonconference slate of college football can produce several duds, but that’s certainly not the case with the Week 2 headliner between the No. 1 Ohio State Buckeyes and No. 4 Texas Longhorns in Austin.
The quarterback clash will take center stage as Arch Manning looks to redeem himself from a rough Longhorns debut against the Buckeyes last season while Julian Sayin is seeking a bit of his own redemption after a poor ending to his 2025 campaign.
Neither team was really tested in their opening matchups, though they were against solid enough Group of Six programs. But this one will really test both defenses the skill players this week will be much more difficult to contain.
What is the biggest story for your team heading into the matchup?
Texas RTB: The biggest story is Arch Manning’s revenge. The potential superstar underwhelmed in the spotlight last season to begin his career as a starter. But now with a ton more experienced and as loaded a roster around him as ever, skeptics will be closely eyeing how Manning can have a better showing against the Buckeyes, and whether that’s even enough for Texas to simply win the game.
Ohio State RTB: I think the biggest story is whether or not Ohio State’s defense can perform at a high level in its first real test. The defense was elite last year and they had a bunch of guys drafted (headlined by Caleb Downs and Arvell Reese) at each level. As a full unit, they looked fast and played really well against Ball State, but everyone expected them to. Texas is a much different animal. I think it was good that both teams got a chance to get in a rhythm last week, unlike last year. Plus, both teams have QBs with a lot of snaps under their belts now, whereas in 2025 Julian Sayin and Arch Manning both were being baptized by fire.
What is the most important matchup in this game?
Texas RTB: For the Longhorns, it’s the defense against Jeremiah Smith. UT coach Steve Sarkisian has raved about the wide receiver’s game-breaking ability, and to the coach’s benefit, he has experience limiting Smith’s damage. Plus, Texas returns its entire secondary that kept Smith quiet in last year’s opener.
Ohio State RTB: This is going to be really fun and it’s hard to pick one single matchup. There aren’t many games during the regular season anymore with programs like Ohio State that feel like true matchup games, but this is one of them - there are so many strong players all across both rosters. In no particular order, Jay Timmons or any other CB2 against Ryan Wingo will be critical, Phillip Daniels (who had a rough opener at RT) against whomever is his responsibility on any given play, Colin Simmons against Ohio State’s offensive line in general and Devin McCuin against Texas secondary are all going to have my attention.
Which player from your team isn’t talked about enough but could play a huge role?
Texas RTB: I would look at freshman receiver Jermaine Bishop taking advantage of his opportunities. He doesn’t have to worry about a redshirt with the new 5x5 rule, and Sark has often talked about Bishop’s play in practice comparing closely to the receiver starpower of Cam Coleman and Ryan Wingo.
Ohio State RTB: Devin McCuin … he transferred into Ohio State from UTSA and I think is poised to have a MONSTER season in Scarlet and Gray if he stays healthy. He gives off major Chris Olave vibes to me and he looked really good in Week 1. I think he runs outstanding routes and his footwork, hands and catch radius are elite. He’s going to be a major compliment to the WR room, considering all the attention that Jeremiah Smith gets.
A second guy would be Legend Bey, who is a true freshman that has incredible play-making ability. He’s as electric as anyone on that team when he has the ball in space, and he scored a touchdown last weekend on one of the best highlight plays from Week 1 around the country. But he also made two bone-headed mistakes in trying to return kicks that he shouldn’t have taken out of the end zone that put the Bucks in brutal field position. First game jitters from a true freshman, perhaps. But he’s a rare talent that Ohio State is excited to showcase.
What is your team’s biggest Achilles heel?
Texas RTB: Texas didn’t put much on film to suggest any key weaknesses from Week 1. Manning reverting to his ways of inaccuracy in must-hit spots, or Sarkisian making questionable game management decisions could hurt.
Ohio State RTB: Can the Buckeyes run the football? They showed in the second half last week that they could hit on a couple explosive plays, but it took way too long for the run game to get going against a MAC team that Ohio State was supposed to dominate. That’s also been an Achilles heel for Ohio State at times the last several years. The Buckeye running backs are plenty capable, but can the offensive line dominate the line of scrimmage each week? There have been times that hasn’t looked quite so easy for them, and it’s going to be a tall task this weekend.
What is your final score prediction?
Texas RTB: Texas 24, Ohio State 21
Ohio State RTB: Ohio State 27, Texas 17
