Ohio State travels to face Texas on Sept. 12.
Here are our predictions for Saturday's Ohio State-Texas game:
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Ohio State vs. Texas predictions
Joey Kaufman, Columbus Dispatch: Ohio State 24,Texas 17. The Buckeyes’ third game in three years against Texas will unfold in a more uninviting setting not only due to the crowd in Austin, but also the scorching late summer heat. Even with the prime-time kickoff, the forecast calls for 90-degree temperatures. As long as the Buckeyes handle the environment, they are well-equipped to add to their win column in this outgoing series. Texas added a variety of flashy pieces through the transfer portal, most notably star receiver Cam Coleman, but Ohio State holds the edge in an area that could
again prove to be most significant — the matchup of defensive coordinator Matt Patricia versus Steve Sarkisian, the Longhorns coach who serves as their primary offensive play-caller. Patricia was in his bag in last year’s opener and has again had months to prepare for this early nonconference game.
Rob Oller, Columbus Dispatch: Texas 20, Ohio State 17.
It would be a different story if the game were played in Columbus, but the Longhorns have been eyeing this double-revenge game for a year. And so have their fans, who have tired of seeing Ohio State break their hearts over the past two seasons. First there was the Jack Sawyer scoop and score, then last year's 14-7 OSU win in which UT quarterback Arch Manning struggled for much of the game. This time, Texas does just enough offensively, and keeps the Buckeyes' ground game in check defensively, to come out on top.
Brianna Mac Kay, Columbus Dispatch: Ohio State 28, Texas 24. Ohio State is going to Austin as a 1½-point underdog, despite being the nation’s No. 1-ranked team. However, with Julian Sayin and Jeremiah Smith a year into playing together, they should boost the Buckeyes’ offense and improve the 14-point performance in last year’s win over Texas. Some uncertainty remains about Ohio State’s defense, even after holding Ball State to a field goal and 165 yards in the season opener, but the offense is solid enough to let the Buckeyes walk away with a win.
Dan Aulbach, Columbus Dispatch: Ohio State 35, Texas 28: Texas coach Steve Sarkisian runs it back with Arch Manning, one of the most talked-about NFL quarterback prospects of the decade. Texas added offensive firepower and has an exciting wide receiver duo of Ryan Wingo and Cam Coleman. But Manning’s worst career start was arguably last time out against the Buckeyes. Unlike last year, this game will be dictated by high-powered offense. Though Texas limited Texas State to one touchdown last week, the Bobcats managed 349 yards of offense, the majority of which came on explosive plays. If there’s one standout trait Julian Sayin has shown elite success on, it’s deep-ball accuracy. The Buckeyes will use a variety of playmakers to get success, while Matt Patricia will find a crack in Manning’s game and force an interception to take the advantage.
Bold predictions
Jeremiah Smith scores two touchdowns
Joey Kaufman: Texas and Indiana are the only teams that have held Smith without a touchdown in a span of multiple games, but he’ll break that drought against the Longhorns in a rather big way. Smith needed only two quarters to pull in eight catches for 151 yards in Ohio State’s season-opening win over Ball State, and even more notably, he has looked in sync with quarterback Julian Sayin as they have the benefit of a season’s worth of experience together. Smith provides the Buckeyes with a deep threat and a big target in the red zone that will help them finish drives with seven points instead of three.
Ohio State offensive line gives up four sacks
Rob Oller: As the saying goes, the good news is Ohio State returns most of its starters on the offensive line. The bad news is OSU returns most of its starters on the offensive line. We saw against Indiana and Texas what happens when the O-line struggles to protect the pocket. Texas will expose similar frailities to the detriment of Julian Sayin staying upright.
Bo Jackson records another long TD
Brianna Mac Kay: Running back Bo Jackson had a slow first half against Ball State, running for only 19 yards before starting the second half with a 65-yard touchdown, marking the longest run of his career at Ohio State. While the Buckeyes favored the passing game in their season-opening, throwing for 434 yards compared to 237 rushing yards, Jackson showed he can make an impact on one run. If Jackson can find a hole in the Longhorns’ defense, which Texas State did to record two 20-plus-yard runs during the season opener, the Ohio State sophomore could be a real scoring threat.
Bo Jackson held for under 100 yards
Dan Aulbach: Ohio State’s 2.1 yards per rush in the first half against Ball State was a concern. They turned it around in the second half with big touchdowns from Bo Jackson and Ja’Kobi Jackson, but success against an experienced Texas defense will be more difficult. Ohio State’s passing game will control the offensive tempo while the run game staggers slightly behind, but the Buckeyes will still manage the win.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Our Ohio State football experts make bold predictions for Texas game
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