What must Ohio State do to beat Texas for the third consecutive time?

Number-one Ohio State travels to Austin for a top-five showdown against Arch Manning and the fourth-ranked Longhorns. Joe breaks down five keys to a Buckeye victory, beginning with an unsettled offensive line's attempt to contain elite Texas pass rusher Colin Simmons.

Can Julian Sayin attack more aggressively than he did last season? How will Texas defend Jeremiah Smith? Can Devin McCuin and Brandon Inniss punish that extra attention? And will Matt Patricia make Manning uncomfortable again?

We also examine Ohio State's need to contain Ryan Wingo and Cam Coleman, generate disciplined pressure, establish a consistent running game and withstand the opening surge inside Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium.

Joe finishes with his final score prediction for Ohio State–Texas.

Friday, September 11, 2026

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Ryan Day still hasn't settled Ohio State's offensive line before the Buckeyes travel to Austin for their top-five showdown with Texas.

We break down the most important comments from Day, quarterback Julian Sayin and defensive end Kenyatta Jackson Jr. ahead of Saturday night's game. Could Austin Siereveld move to right tackle with Gabe VanSickle entering at guard? How much more aggressively will Ohio State use Sayin? And can the defensive line turn its pressure into sacks against Arch Manning?

Day also discusses Devin McCuin's emergence, Jeremiah Smith's opportunities, Ohio State's young players, Qua Russaw's availability and former Buckeye Hero Kanu's role with Texas.

The press conferences are finished. Now Ohio State must prove it is ready for Austin.

Thursday, September 10, 2026

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Ohio State travels to Austin for a massive top-five showdown against a Texas team seeking revenge for two consecutive losses to the Buckeyes.

We break down Arch Manning's development, Texas's explosive receiving combination of Ryan Wingo and Cam Coleman, Colin Simmons and the Longhorns' dangerous pass rush, and the weaknesses Ohio State may be able to exploit.

Can Matt Patricia make Manning uncomfortable again? Is Ohio State's offensive line ready for the Texas defensive front? And how will freshman nickel Jay Timmons respond when Steve Sarkisian begins targeting him?

Both teams dominated in Week 1. Now number-one Ohio State and Texas meet in a game that could shape the College Football Playoff race.

Wednesday, September 9, 2026

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Ohio State's defense opened the 2026 season with a dominant performance, holding Ball State to three points, 165 total yards and only 2.8 yards per play.

Joe breaks down the Buckeyes' defensive PFF grades and snap counts, Matt Patricia's personnel packages and the young players who earned meaningful opportunities before the game became a blowout.

Freshman nickel Jay Timmons recorded two pass breakups in his college debut. Khary Wilder created pressure from the interior, TJ Alford intercepted Keldric Luster and Riley Pettijohn led Ohio State with six tackles.

We examine the defensive-line rotation, the competition between Ohio State's veteran and young linebackers, the new-look secondary and the one area that must improve before the Buckeyes face Arch Manning and Texas: finishing tackles and turning pressure into sacks.

Tuesday, September 8, 2026

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Ohio State defeated Ball State 56–3 and piled up 671 yards of offense, but the final score concealed a major concern entering the Buckeyes' Week 2 showdown with Texas.

Joe breaks down Ohio State's offensive PFF grades and snap counts, Julian Sayin's efficient season debut, Jeremiah Smith's dominant first half and Devin McCuin's emergence as another dangerous receiving weapon.

The primary focus is an Ohio State offensive line that produced only 35 first-half rushing yards and allowed Ball State to record two sacks and six tackles for loss. After Phillip Daniels struggled at right tackle, the Buckeyes moved Austin Siereveld outside and inserted Gabe VanSickle at right guard for several first-team possessions.

Did Ohio State find its best offensive-line combination, or should the Buckeyes remain patient with their original starting five? We examine the grades, lineup changes and misleading rushing statistics before Ohio State travels to face Texas.

Monday, September 7, 2026

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Ohio State opens the 2026 season against Ball State as the nation's No. 1 team and a favorite of more than 50 points. Simply winning won't tell us much about the Buckeyes. The real test is whether Ryan Day's team looks ready for next week's trip to Texas.

Joe breaks down five keys to a successful season opener, including the offensive line's first real test, establishing the running game, containing Ball State quarterback Keldric Luster and getting meaningful snaps for Ohio State's young players.

Can Julian Sayin take command of the offense? Will the Buckeyes control both lines of scrimmage? And which freshmen will begin earning larger roles?

Plus, a final score prediction for Ohio State's Week 1 matchup with Ball State.

Friday, September 4, 2026

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Ryan Day provided the clearest picture yet of Ohio State's plan for Saturday's season opener against Ball State.

The Buckeyes expect to rotate seven wide receivers, use freshman Legend Bey at both running back and receiver and potentially play both Tavien St. Clair and Luke Fahey at quarterback. Day also confirmed Payton Pierce and Christian Alliegro as the starting linebackers while revealing plans to quickly rotate Riley Pettijohn and TJ Alford into the game.

Joe breaks down Day's comments about Arthur Smith's new offense, Ohio State's veteran interior offensive line, Julian Sayin's development and a defensive-tackle room Day believes is deeper than it has been in years.

We also examine Carson Hinzman's expectations for the offensive line, Earl Little Jr.'s warning about Ball State quarterback Keldric Luster and the growing excitement surrounding freshman nickel Jay Timmons.

Ohio State finally told us who will play. Saturday, we find out whether the Buckeyes' offseason confidence was justified.

Thursday, September 3, 2026

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Ohio State opens the 2026 season against Ball State, a team that has rebuilt its roster with 59 newcomers and 35 transfers.

Joe takes you inside the Buckeyes' Week 1 opponent, beginning with 250-pound quarterback Keldric Luster, who will make his first career start at Ohio Stadium. We examine Ball State's experienced offensive line, its transfer-heavy group of playmakers and a defense returning only two starters.

How will the Cardinals attempt to shorten the game? Which Ball State players should Ohio State fans know? Where can the Buckeyes exploit a massive advantage in talent, depth and continuity?

This is your complete Ohio State vs. Ball State opponent preview before Saturday's season opener.

Wednesday, September 2, 2026

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Ohio State football enters the 2026 season replacing eight defensive starters for the second consecutive year. The Buckeyes still have championship-level talent, but Matt Patricia must establish a new rotation before next week's showdown at Texas.

We break down five things Ohio State's defense must demonstrate against Ball State: clean communication, a dominant defensive front, a dependable linebacker rotation, freshman Jay Timmons' readiness at nickel and whether the Buckeyes' highly discussed defensive depth is real.

The spotlight will be on captains Kenyatta Jackson Jr., Payton Pierce and Jaylen McClain, along with Devin Sanchez, Earl Little Jr., James Smith, John Walker, Christian Alliegro and the other new faces taking on larger roles.

Ohio State should control the season opener. The bigger question is whether this new-look defense will leave Ohio Stadium ready for the massive step up in competition awaiting the Buckeyes at Texas.

Tuesday, September 1, 2026

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Ohio State football opens the 2026 season against Ball State, giving Buckeye fans their first look at Arthur Smith's new offense.

We break down five things the Buckeyes must demonstrate before next week's showdown at Texas: Arthur Smith's offensive identity, the new-look offensive line, the Bo Jackson–Isaiah West running-back rotation, Julian Sayin's command of the system and the playmakers emerging behind Jeremiah Smith.

Ohio State should beat Ball State comfortably, but the final score won't tell the entire story. The Buckeyes have one game to establish their identity, test their depth and correct any problems before the competition takes a massive step forward in Austin.

Ohio State vs. Ball State kicks off Saturday, September 5, at 12:30 p.m. on Big Ten Network.

Monday, August 31, 2026

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