No. 1 Ohio State rolls into Austin this Saturday for a Week 2 showdown against No. 4 Texas, and you know what that means: we’re getting an early look at two absolute playoff contenders ready to scrap.
Texas Loaded Up For This Rematch, But The Stakes Are Higher Than Ever
The Longhorns are absolutely loaded and hungry for this one. They snagged serious playmakers through the portal: Auburn receiver Cam Coleman, a five-star prospect waiting to explode. Arizona State running back Raleek Brown, who crushed it for 1,141 rushing yards last season, is in the backfield. Plus, they swiped NC State’s Hollywood Smothers from Alabama; dude already averaged 7 yards per carry last week! On defense, former Pittsburgh linebacker Rasheem Biles picked off a pass and made five tackles in his debut. With at least 13 starters returning, it’s no wonder they’re a slight favorite this Saturday. But get this: Ohio State has beaten them twice in a row, including that 14-7 opener last year and the 28-14 CFP Semifinal in 2024. A non-conference opponent hasn’t beaten Texas three times straight since 1985-88. Arch Manning’s 9-0 home record, with 40 touchdown passes at home since 2024, is totally on the line. Can he deliver?
The Buckeyes Lost Big Names, But Julian Sayin Is Built Different On The Road
Don’t sleep on No. 1 Ohio State just because they lost some big names. Yeah, they said goodbye to offensive coordinator Brian Hartline and saw 11 players head to the NFL Draft. Plus, they’re rolling out eight new starters on defense. That’s a lot of turnover, right? But the Buckeyes’ reload? It’s totally on schedule, thanks to quarterback Julian Sayin and superstar receiver Jeremiah Smith. Sayin is flat out clutch on the road. The guy is 5-0 in five career road starts, and his 78.5% completion percentage on the road is the best by any FBS quarterback with at least five starts this century! The one little question mark is their rushing game, only 35 yards and 2.1 per rush in the first half last week. But with Sayin running the show, maybe they don’t even need a ground game on the road?
Breaking The No. 1 Curse? Texas Has A Chance To Make History
This game isn’t just about rankings; it’s about history. Texas has a serious chance to finally knock off an AP No. 1 team, something they haven’t done since 2008, when they beat Oklahoma 45-35. Their record against No. 1 teams is a rough 5-12 overall. And for Ohio State, playing on the road in SEC country (well, soon-to-be SEC country for Texas) is rare. Their only other road game against an SEC team was a 13-13 tie at LSU way back in 1987. The Longhorns are facing a behemoth, but they’ve got the home crowd and a chance to rewrite the narrative. Can they do it?
This isn’t just Week 2; it’s a statement game, plain and simple. Can Texas finally flip the script on Ohio State, snagging their first No. 1 win since ’08 and protecting Arch Manning’s perfect home record? Or will Julian Sayin keep his spotless road streak alive and prove the Buckeyes are still the undisputed top dog? Get ready for a clash in Austin, because Saturday is gonna be electric!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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