An important deal can occur within the span of 60 minutes. For No. 3 Ohio State and No. 1 Texas, the most important season opener in years has supplied loads of time within the offseason to type preconceived notions about talented-but-brand-new rosters that embody a protracted record of query marks.
Is Arch Manning worthy of the hype? Is Ohio State primed to defend its nationwide title?
We’ll overreact irrespective of the consequence Saturday inside Ohio Stadium. That is what occurs when arguably the 2 finest packages within the nation meet in Week 1, a uncommon occasion that would pave the best way to the playoffs for the winner or lay a rocky highway for the loser.
Both method, new stars will emerge, too. Ohio State has the likes of receiver Jeremiah Smith and security Caleb Downs, however who would be the subsequent star at working again and alongside the line of defense? Will a linebacker step in for Jack Sawyer?
Manning enters the season because the betting favourite to win the Heisman Trophy and figures to hog the highlight all season, however which receiver will likely be his go-to possibility in a crunch? Has Texas reloaded at defensive deal with for a 3rd straight 12 months?
We enter Week 1 with Texas at No. 1 for the primary time ever within the preseason rankings. Ohio State is the primary defending champ to face a top-5 staff in a season opener since 1988. Let’s make historical past.
Texas vs. Ohio State: Must know
Eyes on Jeremiah Smith: The Ohio State receiver was downright unstoppable final season, breaking the Large Ten freshman document with 15 touchdowns. He is worthy of the nationwide consideration and betting consideration within the Heisman race, however one staff shut him down final season: Texas. The Longhorns’ defensive scheme restricted Smith to at least one catch for 3 yards. Bear in mind, Texas had a possibility to tie the sport with 2:13 remaining, however Ohio State returned a fumble by quarterback Quinn Ewers 83 yards to seal the win. It is essential that Texas’ protection slows Smith once more.
First-timers membership: Julian Sayin gained the beginning quarterback job as anticipated, however now the true problem awaits. First-time starters not often have the chance to beat top-ranked packages, and even fewer succeed. A primary-time beginning quarterback hasn’t overwhelmed the AP No. 1 staff since Michigan’s Jim Harbaugh (sorry for the comparability, Ohio State followers) defeated No. 1 Miami in 1984. However the excellent news is soccer is a staff sport, and Ohio State hasn’t misplaced a season opener since 1999, a 25-game successful streak that leads the nation heading into Saturday. Competing in opposition to a Texas protection that returns 5 starters on the again two ranges is a tall activity.
Ohio State’s new protection: The Buckeyes’ championship protection returns solely a handful of starters (three), however what they return is a stellar steady of defensive backs, together with the All-American Downs and cornerback Davison Igbinosun. The important thing for the Buckeyes is the rebuilt line of defense, which incorporates three upperclassmen who had been backups a 12 months in the past. Ohio State replaces all 5 starters alongside the line of defense, and the way the brand new group will get strain on Manning is essential. Keep watch over junior edge rusher Kenyatta Jackson Jr., who steps in for JT Tuimoloau.
Arch Insanity begins: Prepared or not, Manning guarantees to dominate the airwaves this season — a technique or one other. He’ll work with three returning starters from final season, together with receiver DeAndre Moore Jr. Nonetheless, the Longhorns are loaded with blue-chip expertise with the likes of former five-star receiver Ryan Wingo standing alongside Moore after each mixed for greater than 450 yards apiece final season. Manning shouldn’t be quick on expertise. He performed in 10 video games, together with two begins, final season and accomplished 67.8% of his passes for 939 yards. What makes him doubly harmful is his skill to run, a brand new aspect for this offense after the Ewers period. He scored on 4 runs final season and was most notably efficient off the bench within the highway win in opposition to Texas A&M.
The place to look at Texas vs. Ohio State reside
Date: Saturday, Aug. 30 | Time: 12 p.m. ET
Location: Ohio Stadium — Columbus, Ohio
TV: FOX | Stream: Fubo (Strive without cost)
Texas vs. Ohio State, picks
Neither staff returns many starters from final season’s semifinal recreation, however each are loaded with expertise and former blue-chip recruits able to contending for a nationwide title. How Ohio State’s revamped protection assaults Manning is essential, notably with 5 new starters within the trenches for brand new coordinator Matt Patricia. Everyone knows what Ohio State receiver Jeremiah Smith can do on the sphere, however what about everybody else round him? It’ a hodge-podge of gifted gamers, however not a lot big-game expertise. The quarterback who performs the cleanest recreation, with the assistance of their offensive line, wins a doubtlessly tight contest.
SportsLine’s confirmed laptop mannequin has simulated each Week 1 school soccer recreation 10,000 instances. Go to SportsLine now to see all of the picks, all from the mannequin that went 27-16 final season on top-rated money-line and over/beneath picks.
