This weekend, the Longhorns will host a dandy in Austin. On the docket, the nation’s top-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes look to assert themselves as the nation’s top dog while Texas is looking for a signature win early in the season.
Defensive Scouting Report:
Last year, Ohio State’s defense was their rock. The Buckeyes had both the best scoring defense (allowing 9.3 points per game) and passing defense (130 yards per game). Meanwhile, the team’s rushing defense “lagged” behind, only seventh-best in the land. It goes without saying, Ryan Day’s teams know how to defend.
This season, the Longhorns introduced a blend of talent at the skill positions on offense, but a team like Ohio State will truly challenge any questions you may have about the Texas offensive line.
It’s too early to get a true scouting report of this side of the ball. However, Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian will face the same issue in trying to strategize for such a highly anticipated, early season matchup.
Offensive Scouting Report:
Offensively, the Buckeyes have been dynamite. Last season, quarterback Julian Sayin was named a Heisman finalist… as a sophomore. Furthermore, he gets to play pitch and catch with arguably the sport’s top wide receiver in Jeremiah Smith. While Sayin is not a threat to scramble, tallying -44 yards rushing last season, he’s highly efficient with his arm – totaling a touchdown-to-interception ratio of 32-8 in 2025.
If the Longhorns want to slow down Ohio State’s passing attack, they will have to make Sayin uncomfortable. Texas has plenty of threats in the pass rushing game, and players like Colin Simmons will have to prove their stardom on the biggest of stages. Defending guys like Jeremiah Smith, who has over 2,600 career receiving yards and 29 touchdowns isn’t easy. However, if you can force Sayin to have to throw early, you may at least limit the down the field damage.
