Ohio State Week 2 Preview: Offense Must Take A Step
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The marquee matchup on the Week 2 slate features the top-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes on a trip to the fourth-ranked Texas Longhorns. Both teams took care of Group of 6 cupcakes in Week 1 in resounding fashion. Both teams have things to work on to get the win on Saturday, however. Last year, Ohio State narrowly beat Texas in Columbus, 14-7. The Buckeyes hit a 40-yard touchdown pass to go up 14-0 in the fourth quarter to make sure Texas’ answer with 3:28 to go didn’t matter.
It wasn’t an offensive masterclass on either side; Texas actually outgained Ohio State on the day, 336-203. But, at the end of the day, the Buckeyes opened the 2025 season 1-0. This year, the setting is different, there are a handful of new coaches, and there is an expectation that both offenses should be better this time around. Led by Arthur Smith, let’s take a look at what the Buckeyes must do to move to 2-0 in 2026.
Ohio State Week 2 Preview: Offense Must Take A Step
Figure Out The Offensive Line
So, the offensive line is still a work in progress, it seems. The lineup of Ian Moore, Luke Montgomery, Carson Hinzman, Austin Siereveld, and Phillip Daniels had some serious lapses in what it had to do against Ball State. On a number of occasions, they missed key blocks and weren’t able to bully their way down the field as you’d expect from a matchup against one of the worst FBS programs.
If PFF grades are your thing (and we wouldn’t blame you if they weren’t), Hinzman led the starters with a 72.1 mark, followed by Montgomery (65.8), Siereveld (65.5), Moore (65.4), and Daniels (59.8). Most of those marks are carried by solid pass-blocking grades, however.
Every rush play for Ohio State vs Ball State from the end zone view with a couple Legend Bey catches sprinkled in and Julian Sayin's TD run.
This view is typically best for judging how the OL did in run blocking. pic.twitter.com/rPnpiexbYb
— Jon “JR” Rhoades (@jrs_rankings) September 7, 2026
For about two series, Daniels hit the bench, Siereveld kicked to right tackle, and Gabe VanSickle manned right guard. VanSickle actually graded out with the best pass-blocking grade on the team.
This is a fluid unit. Siereveld’s positional flexibility is only a great asset; Ohio State can keep trying different things. Of course, against Texas, maybe pick the best five and go with that, barring a nuclear collapse.
Of course, while the right side of the line is under the microscope, the left side was not perfect, either. Needless to say, Tyler Bowen has to get it figured out; Texas is just the first on a long list of solid defensive lines on the schedule.
WR2 And Beyond
Texas, much like the rest of college football, will be focused on Jeremiah Smith on Saturday night. Smith has played 30 games in his career, and, in terms of yardage, his matchups against Texas were the worst and seventh-worst. In total, he’s amassed 46 yards on seven receptions and no touchdowns.
Of course, Texas focused on stopping him, often doubling and shifting the secondary his way, so it’s not like he just didn’t show up. However, that allowed Carnell Tate to go off for 87 yards on seven catches in the Cotton Bowl and 49 yards and a touchdown on two receptions last year.
Who steps up?
Against Ball State, it was Devin McCuin. The UTSA transfer showed up with six receptions for 97 yards and a touchdown in his first appearance in the scarlet and gray. After him, there wasn’t much. Of course, there wasn’t much of an opportunity as the game was well in hand.
Ryan Day spoke on McCuin on Saturday, saying, “he’s as good as we’ve had here.” Considering the plethora of stars Day has coached at Ohio State, that’s saying something. Look for McCuin to make the most of Texas focusing on Smith. Maybe he will do so well that the Longhorns have to rethink their strategy.
The X-Factor
Who is the true X-factor on the Ohio State offense against Texas? Bo Jackson has a great opportunity if the offensive line figures itself out. Smith and McCuin are great guesses, as is Sayin. However, there is one name that needs to be included when game-planning for the Longhorns: Legend Bey.
When there is as much hype surrounding a player as there was for Bey, everyone was waiting with bated breath to see what he could do. His first touch was a disastrous kick return. His second was a disastrous kick return. It wasn’t until the end of the third quarter that Bey was able to do anything on offense.
Against Ball State, the first-year back finished with 37 yards on six rushes while adding 37 yards and a touchdown on two receptions. Despite the mental lapses on special teams, Bey showed glimpses of what he could be. On that touchdown, he reminded fans of Braxton Miller with the way he set up the defense and created his own seam back across the field to scamper into the end zone.
Texas is going to be focused on Smith, McCuin, Jackson, and Sayin, so who is going to be the guy to step up? Bey could be the answer.
The Task At Hand
The Texas defense is legit once again. From top to bottom, it’s loaded with talent. From Colin Simmons and Hero Kanu on the defensive line to Rasheem Biles at linebacker and Graceson Littleton in the secondary, there won’t be much space for the Buckeyes to work.
As a unit, the Longhorns only managed two sacks, but they did finish with eight tackles for loss against Texas State. Oddly enough, Simmons only managed one tackle and half of a tackle for loss. It was a bit of an off day for a player most expect to be in top-10-pick territory next spring.
Speaking of stars, keep an eye on Biles. He transferred to Texas after two uber-productive seasons at Pitt and brings with him a chip on his shoulder the size of the Lone Star State.
Texas is playing a completely different sport compared to Ball State, so if the Buckeyes think they can just keep doing what they were doing against the Cardinals, it’ll be a long day. Of course, you can trust that Day and his coaching staff are ready.
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.
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Main Image: Samantha Madar/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
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