Ohio State Defeats Texas in Season Opener, But Both Teams Show Flaws
ARLINGTON, TX – Ohio State defeated Texas 38-17 in a highly anticipated season opener saturday, but the performance from both teams left observers questioning their championship potential. While the Buckeyes emerged victorious, neither program displayed the dominance expected of College Football Playoff contenders.
The game highlighted the challenges of relying on inexperienced quarterbacks. Ohio State utilized both Julian Sayin and Lincoln Kienle, with Sayin completing 5-of-8 passes for 72 yards and a touchdown, and Kienle going 8-of-12 for 89 yards and a touchdown. however, the overall passing attack struggled, producing only three explosive plays. Lincoln Manning went 17-of-30 for 206 yards.
“You can’t expect Manning and/or Sayin to walk under center or stand in the shotgun for the first time in a big time moment, and look (and play) like a fifth-year senior,” wrote USA TODAY Sports’ Matt Hayes.
Conversely,Texas’s offense also faced difficulties. The Buckeyes’ defense, led by coordinator Tim Patricia, consistently pressured the quarterback and effectively covered receivers. Ohio State generated pressure with four and five rushers, mirroring the defensive styles of teams like Wake forest and Boston College.
Will Howard’s five years of experience at Kansas State were contrasted with the inexperience of the Ohio State quarterbacks. Howard threw 1,202 passes during his collegiate career and won a Big 12 championship. Hayes emphasized the “gigantic value” of that experience, noting that a fifth-year senior possesses a knowledge of defensive schemes that younger quarterbacks lack.
Looking ahead, Ohio State’s schedule appears manageable, offering opportunities for Sayin and receiver Jeremiah Smith to develop chemistry. Texas, though, faces a more daunting path, with upcoming matchups against defenses expected to be as strong or stronger than Ohio State’s. The Longhorns’ schedule may prove too challenging to overcome in pursuit of a CFP berth.”Texas, on the other hand, has some heavy lifting ahead – against defenses that will be as good or better than Ohio State. And against offenses that won’t struggle to score points,” Hayes noted.
Matt Hayes is the senior national college football writer for USA TODAY Sports Network. Follow him on X at @MattHayesCFB.
