Here are the five things that everyone needs to know heading into Saturday’s showdown
As the No. 3 Ohio State Buckeyes get ready to host the No. 1 Texas Longhorns, here are five things to know about the visitors to get you ready for the showdown at noon.
The trio of stars on defense
When talking about the 2025 Texas football team, most conversations begin with quarterback Arch Manning. However, there are three players on defense that will steal the show every week: Anthony Hill Jr., Colin Simmons, and Michael Taafe.
These are three of the best players in the country at their respective positions. They will hear their name called a lot in this one, and young quarterback Julian Sayin will need to know where that trio is at all times.
Notably, Simmons won the 2024 Shawn Alexander Freshman of the Year award over Jeremiah Smith.
The secondary lost some talent, but is still one of the best
Led by the senior safety Taaffe, who began at Texas as a walk-on and was an All-American last season, the Longhorns’ secondary was vital in making them one of the best teams against the pass in 2024.
Last year, the secondary was elite, as the Longhorns tied BYU for the FBS lead in total interceptions, picking off 22 passes. They were seventh in passing yards allowed, giving up an average of 173.8 yards per game, and they were one of three FBS teams to allow fewer than 10 passing touchdowns for the season.
Even though they lost Jim Thorpe Award winner Jahdae Barron to the Denver Broncos and Andrew Mukuba to the Philadelphia Eagles in this year’s NFL Draft, the secondary returns Taffe, Malik Muhammad, Jaylon Guilbeau and Jelani McDonald.
This will still be one of the premier secondaries in the country.
They are reshaping the offensive line
Texas had one of the best offensive lines in the country last season, as they were finalists for the 2024 Joe Moore Award. However, they lost four of their five starters, including Kelvin Banks Jr. — the No. 9 pick in the NFL Draft —as well as Cam Williams and Hayden Connor, who were also draft picks.
They have talent and some experience on the line still, but Kenyatta Jackson and Caden Curry have to take advantage of a new line playing their first game as a unit.
The Buckeyes with have to keep the pocket clean
The Texas front seven lost some talent to the NFL Draft, but head coach Steve Sarkisian and his staff reloaded, with five of the 10 transfers the Longhorns brought in being on the defensive line.
Colin Simmons is one of the best players in the country in general at getting to the quarterback, and transfers like Maraad Watson, Cole Brevard and Travis Shaw are all guys that can wreak havoc in the backfield.
In 16 games last season, Texas was second in the SEC with 46 sacks, behind only Ole Miss with 52. With this being Sayin’s first start, it is paramount that the Buckeyes keep him upright and not running for his life all game.
The legend of the Albino Squirrel
Squirrels are very common creatures around campus, but one particular squirrel is hard to find: The Albino Squirrel. According to campus legend and former students, if you spot this special squirrel on your way to an exam, it gives you good luck on the test.
Category: General Sports
