Everybody knows that one of the best parts of being a sports fan is debating and dissecting the most (and least) important questions in the sporting world with your friends. So, we’re bringing that to the pages of LGHL with our favorite head-to-head column: You’re Nuts.
In You’re Nuts, two LGHL staff members will take differing sides of one question and argue their opinions passionately. Then, in the end, it’s up to you to determine who’s right and who’s nuts.
This week’s topic: Who was the MVP of Ohio State’s 14-7 win vs. Texas?
Gene’s Take: Phillip Daniels
Look, the obvious answer here is Arvell
Reese. The Ohio State linebacker looked like a man possessed on Saturday, racking up nine total tackles — second on the team to only Davison Igbinosun, who had 10 — with a sack and a tackle for loss. Reese was all over the field against Texas, and the Buckeyes look like they might very well have the best linebacker duo in the country with him and Sonny Styles.
But that wouldn’t make for a very fun article. Reese got his well-deserved flowers during the game both on the broadcast and on social media. If we’re going to talk about some of the MVPs from the big win, I want to highlight a player who was of massive important to the team, but didn’t necessarily get all the shine in the moment.
For me, that guy is none other than offensive tackle Phillip Daniels.
The Minnesota transfer was originally thought of as a depth piece when he first committed to Ohio State; a guy that was maybe a year away from being able to play meaningful reps for the Buckeyes. Instead, Daniels worked his ass off this offseason, and was rewarded with the starting right tackle job.
His first assignment? Just star defensive end Colin Simmons, a former five-star prospect, 2024 Shawn Alexander National Freshman of the Year winner, and a Freshman All-American in 2024 after leading Texas with nine sacks while adding another 14 tackles for loss and three forced fumbles.
Daniels, in his first career start at Ohio State, helped turn Simmons into a non-factor. The talented edge rusher, who notably posted the news of Julian Sayin being named the starting quarterback to his Instagram story in an attempt to talk smack, totaled two tackles and zero QB hurries, according to PFF. In addition, Daniels drew a face mask penalty against Simmons during the Buckeyes’ first touchdown drive.
Daniels finished the afternoon with the second-highest pass-blocking grade on a stout Ohio State offensive line behind only center Carson Hinzman. To go from a bit of an afterthought transfer portal addition to a key cog in a win over the No. 1 team in the country is an incredibly impressive feat for the Cincinnati native, and so Daniels is my MVP of the game.
Matt’s Take: The goal-line defense
Look, I know this is a pretty big cop out by taking an entire 11-person side of the ball, and I could just say the defensive line on goal-line stands, but the performance of the OSU defense in goal-to-go situations was nothing short of heroic, and I feel it is my duty to praise the entire unit. On the other hand, I could have been even broader and said the fourth-down defense, which would have expanded the scope even wider. So, I settled on the goal-line defense.
Our Jami Jurich broke down what she believes was the play of the game, the third-quarter goal-line stand that kept the score at 7-0 in favor of the Buckeyes. What makes the fourth-down stop on that play so incredible is that Arch Manning actually lost yardage on the QB sneak. Ohio State lined up all of its most massive bodies around the ball, and on seeing that, Texas still said, “Bet, we’ll still score on you,” and then proceeded to get absolutely nothing.
I don’t need to tell you how different the game could have been had the Longhorns converted on that play, and the defense knew it. Even before the refs spotted him sort of the line to gain, Jermaine Mathews Jr., who ended up not being involved in the play, is jumping up and down with his fist above his head in celebration.
But it was more than just one play, and it was more than just one drive. Heck, it was more than just one game. As Gus Johnson referenced on the broadcast, Ohio State has routinely made goal-line stands in recent years, from Notre Dame to Nebraska to Penn State to Texas (multiple times).
This is becoming a calling card of the OSU defense, and it takes everyone on the field in each of these situations for the stands to be successful. I do wonder if the trend is going to result in teams deciding it’s just not worth trying in those situations and opting for field goals. If it comes down to taking three points or giving your opponent an opportunity to absolutely stonewall and swing the momentum of the game, I could understand opting for the safe FG. Who knows, if Steve Sarkisian had gone that route, perhaps the game would have ended up being significantly different on Saturday. But it didn’t, and because of Ohio State’s goal-line defense, the Buckeyes got a massive win to open their season.
