Ohio State’s Sept. 12 road trip to No. 3 Texas is shaping up as more than just another early-season marquee game. It is the next chapter in a matchup that has already gone Ohio State’s way twice in recent years, with the Buckeyes beating Texas 28-14 in the 2024 College Football Playoff semifinals and 14-7 last season. Both games were decided by small margins, and the same themes are back again: pressure, protection and red-zone execution.
For Ohio State, the clearest path to another win starts with Julian Sayin. The quarterback will need to be decisive from the pocket against a Texas defense that has already shown it wants to speed up opposing passers. In Week 1, Texas blitzed Brad Jackson on 44% of his dropbacks against Texas State and came away with three takeaways and two sacks. That is the kind of pressure look Ohio State has to be ready for in Austin.
It also means Ohio State’s pass protection has to hold up. Texas does not need to bring heavy pressure on every snap to affect the game, and that is what makes the matchup so interesting. If the Buckeyes can keep Sayin clean enough to work through the pocket, they can make Texas defend the full field instead of turning the game into a series of rushed throws and broken plays.
How Ohio State can beat Texas
The first key is matching Texas’ pressure. Ohio State cannot allow the Longhorns to dictate tempo with blitzes and confusion. The second is protecting Sayin well enough to keep the offense on schedule. The third is winning again in the red zone, where Texas has been a concern since 2022 and where the last two meetings between these teams have leaned on finishing drives rather than simply moving the ball.
That red-zone issue matters because recent history suggests this game will not leave much room for wasted chances. Ohio State’s two wins over Texas were both controlled by defense and field position as much as anything else, and that makes every scoring opportunity more valuable. If the Buckeyes move the ball but settle for too many empty possessions, Texas can keep the game tight deep into the second half.
There is also the question of how Texas handles Ohio State’s top targets. Jeremiah Smith remains one of the key names in the matchup, and the Buckeyes will need to create enough balance to keep him from facing constant disruption. If Ohio State can get him involved while still taking what Texas gives it underneath, the offense should have a better chance to stay ahead of the pressure.
In the end, this is the kind of game that can reveal a lot without needing to be overcomplicated. Ohio State has already shown it can beat Texas, but doing it on the road against a No. 3 team will require cleaner execution. If Sayin is sharp, the protection is steady and the Buckeyes finish drives, they will give themselves a real chance to extend a trend that has already held in two straight matchups.
