Off-Script Ohio: Texas preview, keys to the game and what we want to see from Ohio State

Ohio State football is already on to one of its biggest games of the season.

Episode 34 of Off-Script Ohio gets you ready for the Buckeyes‘ road trip to Austin to take on No. 5 Texas, as Cole and Joey break down the biggest storylines heading into Saturday night’s matchup.

Both teams enter the game coming off dominant season-opening victories.

Ohio State rolled past Ball State 56-3, while Texas handled Texas State 59-7. Now, the two top-five programs meet in a rematch of last season’s 14-7 Buckeye victory, with Texas opening as a 1.5-point favorite.

The biggest question on offense is whether Julian Sayin is ready to take the training wheels off. Last year’s matchup with Texas was Sayin’s first career start and came in Columbus. This time, he has to lead Ohio State into Austin against a Texas team that knows exactly what it is getting.

Jeremiah Smith will also be a major focus. Texas has successfully limited Smith in the last two meetings, so who becomes Ohio State’s version of Carnell Tate if the Longhorns once again dedicate significant resources to stopping No. 4?

On the other side of the ball, Ohio State’s secondary faces a completely different challenge from Ball State. Arch Manning threw for 305 yards and four touchdowns in Texas’ opener, while Ryan Wingo and Cam Coleman combined for 190 receiving yards and three touchdowns.

The Buckeye defensive backs will have to prove they can handle an NFL-caliber receiving corps without giving up explosive plays.

The running game is another storyline for both teams. Texas struggled to consistently create on the ground against Texas State outside of a 45-yard Hollywood Smothers run, while Ohio State will need to be more efficient if it wants to keep the Longhorn defense honest.

Cole and Joey also discuss which young Buckeyes they want to see more of, including Khary Wilder, Riley Pettijohn, T.J. Alford, Nate Roberts, Chris Henry Jr. and Jay Timmons.

Finally, the guys look at the biggest questions surrounding the matchup. Julian Sayin or Arch Manning in the Heisman race, whether Devin McCuin can establish himself as Ohio State’s WR2, which defensive lineman steps up and whether the Buckeyes’ revamped secondary can hold up against Texas’ elite receivers.

This is the first real measuring stick of the 2026 season.