Ohio State vs. Texas Buckeyes Wire staff predictions for Saturday

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Here we go with another massive matchup involving YOUR Ohio State Buckeyes. After doing what they were expected to do in Week 1 against the Ball State Cardinals, it's time to head to Texas to take on a top-five Longhorns team that's looking to get revenge for the previous two matchups in successive years.

It's a talent-equated game, as they say, and that means Ohio State will need to be crisp and execute at a high level to board the plane home with a 2-0 record instead of having its first blemish on the season and having less room for error in making the College Football Playoff.

Before each Ohio State football contest, we like to have our writers each take turns predicting the score and a short synopsis of how they think things will play out, and so we're at it again. Here is how our Buckeyes Wire writers predict the outcome of Ohio State vs. Texas to go down in Austin. The oddsmakers have this one as razor-thin, so do our writers think the same?

Ohio State vs. Texas, according to Phil Harrison, Lead Writer/Editor

This is a talent-equated game, so Ohio State will not have a major advantage in personnel. The last two matchups with Texas have gone down to the end, and I see no reason why this one won't be the same. Both teams will make big plays, and both teams will be frustrated by the other at times on both sides of the ball, but the advantage in this one goes to Texas at home, with the improved play of Arch Manning and his ability to keep a couple of key plays alive because of his legs.

Score Prediction: Texas 24, Ohio State 21

Ohio State vs. Texas, according to Mark Russell, Featured Writer

This will be the first test of what is a brutal schedule for the Buckeyes. It's going to be a battle; make no mistake. With 100,000-plus fans and unbearable heat and humidity, Ohio State has a daunting task ahead. But the Buckeye offense is too good to be stopped, and the fact that the Longhorn secondary gave up several big plays through the air to Texas State makes me believe there will be holes to exploit on Saturday night. As long as the offensive line can protect Julian Sayin, Ohio State walks out of Austin with a win.

Score Prediction: Ohio State 27, Texas 24

Ohio State vs. Texas, according to Sunny Verma, Featured Writer

Two teams coming in knowing the entire world is going to be watching. Top five teams with national championship aspirations. It's the first time Ohio State has been an underdog in three years, and I think that could be the bulletin-board material the team needs. Talent-wise, it's almost even across the board. Ohio State has the advantage, however, in playing in these big-time games before, and Jeremiah Smith could look to have a redemption performance after only getting 43 yards in last year's matchup. When it comes to sides, I trust the head coach and the quarterback on Ohio State's side more than I do Texas.

Score Prediction: Ohio State 20, Texas 17

Ohio State vs. Texas, according to Alec Lasley, Featured Writer

Ohio State has been building throughout the offseason for this moment – the first test of the season against another team with championship aspirations. While the defense may still have some questions about who the consistent playmakers will be each and every game, there's no question where the playmaking ability on the offensive end will come from. Julian Sayin and Jeremiah Smith, paired with Bo Jackson, an emerging Legend Bey, and veteran Brandon Inniss, roll into Austin knowing exactly what they're made of. That, paired with a new DC for the Longhorns in Will Muschamp, makes this an intriguing attack for the Buckeyes’ offense. It's going to be tight throughout the entire game, but I have more faith in the OSU offense than I do in the Texas defense to come up with the big plays when needed. Buckeyes sneak out with a win and cement themselves as the true No. 1 team in the country.

Score Prediction: Ohio State 24, Texas 20

Ohio State vs. Texas, according to Trey Luerssen, Longhorns Wire

I do think Texas wins. Some of it is because I think Arch is better. Some of it is because Muschamp is back. Ultimately, I think the weather in Austin is going to play a big part in this game. Texas opened its new state-of-the-art football practice facility last Friday. UT had no indoor facility for the past nine months and practiced the entire spring and fall in the Texas heat. August is always the hottest month in the Lone Star State, but this August has been hotter than most. Even though the game is at night, I think the Buckeyes are going to struggle with the heat late in the game. It wears on you. Especially if you're not used to it.

Score Prediction: Texas 31, Ohio State 27

Ohio State vs. Texas Summary of Predictions

The Predictions

Phil Harrison | Texas 24, Ohio State 21

Mark Russell | Ohio State 27, Ohio State 24

Sunny Verma | Ohio State 20, Ohio State 17

Alec Lasley | Ohio State 24, Texas 20

Trey Luerssen, Longhorns Wire | Texas 31, Ohio State 27

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This article originally appeared on Buckeyes Wire: Ohio State vs. Texas Buckeyes Wire staff predictions for Saturday

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