NFL
The No. 4 Texas Longhorns face the No.1 Ohio State Buckeyes Saturday night. Texas will look to avenge last year’s 14-7 loss. Texas doesn’t need a perfect game against Ohio State. But the Longhorns do need to play aggressive, physical football for four quarters if they want to knock off the Buckeyes.
Arch Manning Needs to Play Well
Quarterback Arch Manning needs to play better than he did last year against Ohio State. Last week against Texas State, Manning passed for 305 yards and four touchdowns. The Longhorns need to push the ball downfield. Move him outside the pocket. Use play-action. Give him opportunities to attack Ohio State’s secondary rather than allowing the Buckeyes’ defensive line to dictate the game.
Get the Ball to Cam Coleman
Last week, Cam Coleman caught three passes for 70 yards and two touchdowns. This week, Texas needs to get him the ball often and early. Whether it’s deep shots, quick screens, or intermediate routes, if Coleman forces Ohio State to dedicate extra attention to him, it should create opportunities for Ryan Wingo, who had a huge game last week, and the rest of the offense.
Slow Down Jeremiah Smith
Jeremiah Smith is one of the most dangerous players on Ohio State’s roster, and Texas cannot allow him to turn routine plays into touchdowns. The Longhorns don’t necessarily have to shut Smith down completely. They have to make him earn every yard and prevent the explosive plays that can swing a game instantly. Smith had eight catches for 151 yards and two touchdowns last week. If Texas can force Ohio State to consistently move the ball without Smith taking over, the pressure shifts to the Buckeyes.
Run the Ball
The Longhorns need to run the football effectively enough to keep Ohio State’s pass rush from controlling the game. That means winning at the line of scrimmage and staying committed even if the first few carries don’t produce huge gains. A strong running game would also open up play-action and make throws easier for Manning. Texas ran for 156 yards last week, with Hollywood Smothers leading the way with 70 yards.
Show up in the 4th Quarter.
In the fourth quarter, the Longhorns have to be more aggressive. If Texas has the ball with a chance to take the lead, it cannot suddenly become conservative. If the defense needs one stop, it has to make it. Ohio State has repeatedly shown it can survive close games.
Texas needs to prove it can finish one.
The Longhorns have the quarterback, the receivers, the defensive talent, and the home-field advantage to make Saturday night interesting. But none of that matters if they make the same mistakes that have cost them against elite competition.
