Arch Manning, the guy everyone’s got pegged as the top pick in the 2027 NFL Draft and a Heisman front-runner this season, is rolling with Texas into Columbus to face Ohio State on September 11, 2026. This isn’t just another game, it’s a huge early test for both squads, loaded with star power and some serious history.
Texas Is Bringing The Big Guns, Led By Arch Manning
You know the name: Arch Manning. This dude opened up last season slinging for 170 yards and a touchdown against Ohio State, then wrapped up his year with 26 passing touchdowns, 3,163 yards through the air, and even tacked on 10 rushing touchdowns. He’s undeniably the biggest star for Texas right now, and yeah, he’s a favorite for the Heisman this season for a reason. But it’s not just Manning. Texas also snagged wide receiver Cam Coleman from Auburn via the transfer portal. In two seasons with the Tigers, Coleman put up some wild numbers: 93 passing touchdowns (!!) for over 1,300 yards and 13 scores. In his first game rocking the burnt orange, he immediately made an impact with three catches for 70 yards and found the end zone twice. He’s absolutely gonna be in the Biletnikoff Award conversation this year, trying to keep pace with Ohio State’s own Jeremiah Smith.
Then there’s edge rusher Colin Simmons. Last year, this guy gave Ohio State some serious bulletin board material, bragging about how he was gonna sack then-new Buckeye QB Julian Sayin. Funny thing is, Ohio State’s offensive line completely shut him out. The most memorable play from Simmons in that game? Getting flagged for a personal foul after he ripped Phillip Daniels’ helmet off. That penalty kept a Buckeye drive alive, leading directly to their first touchdown of the game. Ouch. Simmons did clean it up, though, finishing last season with 12 sacks and first-team All-SEC honors. He even kicked off 2026 with a fumble recovery against Texas State last week. So yeah, he’s still a force to be reckoned with.
Ohio State’s Game Plan: Ground And Pound, Keep Your Head
For Ohio State, the game plan against this stacked Texas team is pretty clear, especially after last year’s matchup. First up: don’t bail on the run. Last season, the Buckeyes only managed 77 yards on 34 carries against Texas, averaging a measly 2.3 yards per carry. But here’s the kicker: sticking to that ground game helped them dominate time of possession, holding onto the ball for a full 33 minutes and wearing out the Longhorn defense on a sweltering Columbus day. This year, it’s a bit different with Julian Sayin in his second season as starter and the pure luxury of Jeremiah Smith at wide receiver. Still, Ohio State HAS to run the ball effectively. They can’t let Texas just load up to defend the pass. With four running backs ready to spread the carries, the Buckeyes need to rotate those guys in, use their depth, and just chip away at that Texas D. It might not always be pretty, but it serves a huge purpose.
And second, Ohio State needs to keep its collective cool. Remember that critical personal foul from Colin Simmons last year? That flag swung the game, keeping a Buckeye drive alive for a crucial touchdown. You just can’t afford those kinds of game-changing mistakes against a team with this much talent.
This game is going to be a test of star power versus strategy and composure. Can Ohio State’s O-line neutralize Simmons again? Will Manning and Coleman light up the scoreboard, or will the Buckeyes’ commitment to the run game dictate the pace? September 11, 2026, is set to deliver some serious college football fireworks.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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