Five Bold Predictions For Ohio State at Texas

Bold predictions are meant to be low-percentage, good-faith bets with a slight “oh, yeah, that could happen” aspect to them. However, last week, we went a solid oh-for-five, as no tight end was really featured in the offense; Legend Bey only scored once; Jay Timmons played great but didn’t get his interception; the Buckeyes only managed one sack (from a defensive end, no less); and they didn’t even attempt a field goal.

Not great. But we chug along because we have committed to the bit!

Season total: 0-5

Five Bold Predictions For Ohio State at Texas

1. Jeremiah Smith Scores The First Ohio State Touchdown

While predicting a touchdown from Jeremiah Smith is not exactly the most earth-shattering proclamation on the web, Texas has done a good job of limiting his impact in the two previous meetings. Much has been said about it, but in the Cotton Bowl, he only managed one catch for three yards, and last year, he added six catches for 43 yards. He’s never scored against the Longhorns.

Two things will be true on Saturday: Arthur Smith is going to do what he can to win the game by giving the best player in college football as many chances as possible, and Texas is going to focus on limiting Smith’s impact yet again.

Will Ohio State force-feed him? Likely not, but don’t be surprised if there are a few “just throw it to Jeremiah” plays drawn up to test that Longhorn secondary. It’ll be up to Smith to rise to the occasion.

2. Julian Sayin Sacked At Least Three Times

Now for a negative. The Ohio State offensive line was not in tip-top shape against Ball State. In total, it allowed two sacks of Julian Sayin, although one could be attributed to a running back missing his mark. Regardless, allowing pressure from Ball State is not ideal, especially when you look at what’s coming this week.

Texas has a great defensive line and some stud linebackers, as expected. There will be pressure from all directions, just as there was against Miami and Indiana last year. Ideally, things are figured out soon.

Sayin is relatively athletic, but he’s not Lamar Jackson. He can scramble to find green grass and extend the play, but it’s still an area in progress. Will this prediction and the Smith touchdown prediction go hand in hand? It’s possible.

But the elephant in the room is that predicting Texas to do well up front is not bold. The bold part is the fact that Texas only managed two sacks last week, just as Ohio State only managed one. Neither defense was able to get home as often as they’d expect against lower competition. We are more than willing to be wrong about this one, of course.

3. No, Really, Jay Timmons Gets An Interception

Moving to the defense, should we just predict Timmons gets his first-career interception each and every week? If he doesn’t this week, we promise to not do it during Kent State.

Regardless, Texas and Steve Sarkisian are more than aware of the makeup of the Ohio State secondary. It boasts three established veterans (one via the portal, but still) and one highly-touted second-year corner. You think the Longhorns won’t try to see what Timmons is made of?

When Denzel Burke started as a true freshman, opposing offenses tested him week in and week out. Sarkisian knows what he’s doing. With Cam Coleman and Ryan Wingo, he can do whatever he wants to do in terms of alignment.

Timmons looked really good against Ball State. He logged 33 snaps and manned the nickel corner spot as long as the starters were out there. He only managed one tackle, but he broke up a pair of passes. Look for Texas and Emmett Mosley V to test the young corner.

4. Ohio State Holds Texas Under 100 Yards Rushing

Now this is getting bold. In Week 1, Ohio State held Ball State to 45 yards on the ground, marking the first time in four games the Buckeyes did so. Of course, last year, Ohio State’s rushing defense was about as good as it got, and it held opponents to under 100 yards on the ground 10 times in 14 chances. For what it’s worth, Texas ran for 166 in Week 1, by far the most allowed by the Buckeyes in 2025.

On the flip side, Texas amassed 156 yards on the ground against Texas State in Week 1. Last year, it was pretty feast of famine on the ground for the Longhorns. Five opponents held Texas to under 100 yards (Georgia held the Longhorns to 23!), but four opponents let Texas run wild with over 200 yards. Of course, only two of those were Power 4 opponents, but still.

Texas is just as frustrated with its running game as the Buckeyes are with theirs. Hollywood Smothers did rip off a 45-yard run, but he wasn’t the one to score. Texas only had five runs of 10 yards or more, just two of which were 15 yards or longer. If Ohio State can hold strong up front in run defense and contain Arch Manning‘s legs, it could bode well for the Buckeyes.

5. Phillip Bell and Legend Bey Set Ohio State Up In Plus Territory

Finally, special teams was not a strength last week. How many times have you heard that the Ohio State special teams were a negative over the last few years? It’s been far too common for the special teams to struggle; it’s even worse now that there’s an actual dedicated special teams coordinator.

Bey gave a glimpse of his explosive playmaking abilities…but he had two kick returns to forget. Will Texas play into that and give him a kick that’s in between an obvious fair catch and “take it out” area? At the same time, Phillip Bell had a great punt return that was brought back due to multiple holding calls.

Special teams is going to be important in this one. Those are the invisible yards you don’t usually pay attention to and that don’t really pop up on the box score.

Texas is going to test the young returners. It isn’t going to make life easy for Bey or Bell. But if given the chance, both have the ability to make the Longhorns pay. Don’t be surprised if both leg out a return into Ohio State territory to set the Buckeye offense up nicely (we will count a touchdown as fulfilling this as well, just so you know).

The Bottom Line on Ohio State at Texas

Where: Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium, Austin, Texas
History: Ohio State 3-2 Texas
Last Matchup: Ohio State won, 14-7, in 2025
Last Texas Win: 2008 (24-21 in the Fiesta Bowl)
Date and Time: September 12, 2026; 7:30 P.M.
How to Watch: ABC
Spread: Texas -1.5; O/U 48.5 (via FanDuel)

Prediction: Easily the best matchup on the Week 2 slate, Ohio State at Texas looks as close as can be. This is likely going to be a back-and-forth matchup, so watch it as if you’re watching an NFL game and don’t get too high or too low. While our buddy Craig McMichael has Texas winning in overtime, we will go with Ohio State winning again, 24-17.

More Ohio State News

• • Early Storylines For Ohio State Leading Into The Texas Matchup
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  • Ohio State Week 2 Preview: The First Real Test For The Buckeyes’ Retooled Defense
  • The 2026 Big Ten College Football Playoff Picture: Week 2
  • The Best Matchups In The Big Ten Each Week: Weeks 0-6

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