Ohio State Week 2 Preview: The First Real Test For The Buckeyes’ Retooled Defense
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On just about all fronts, the Ohio State Week 2 matchup with Texas will be the toughest battle in a while. Of course, the Buckeyes dispatched Ball State with very little effort in Week 1, so that’s not saying much. Unlike last year, the Texas offense had a week to get out its own early-season jitters and figure out what is working and what isn’t. It was the same for the Ohio State defense against Ball State. It was obvious that Matt Patricia was going to use plenty of rotation to keep guys fresh, but in total, 39 different defenders hit the field in the win.
Ohio State Week 2 Preview: The First Real Test For The Buckeyes’ Retooled Defense
Back Up The Talk
Last year, Ohio State took home its third Thorpe Award. This offseason, second-year cornerback Devin Sanchez made it known that winning the Thorpe Award was his goal. As defensive backs go, the Thorpe is likely the best you’re going to get unless you rack up a high snap count playing receiver as well. At Ohio State, there is no need for a two-way player due to how loaded the receiver room is.
Sanchez knows what is being asked of him this week. Facing off against Texas’s passing attack, led by Arch Manning, is going to be significantly tougher than last week. When asked about whether he was ready for the challenge, he named Cam Coleman along with Indiana’s Charlie Becker, and Oregon’s duo of Dakorien Moore and Evan Stewart.
Last year, Sanchez earned real snaps despite being a first-year player; he was even on the field in Week 1 against that Texas team. He was solid, but certainly made freshman mistakes, and he’d be the first to tell you.
The downside of this matchup is that Coleman and Ryan Wingo are legit players. The upside is that Sanchez lines up opposite Jeremiah Smith, Devin McCuin, Chris Henry Jr., etc. each day in practice.
If Sanchez wants to really throw his name into consideration for this year’s Thorpe Award, coming out of this matchup with a strong performance will go a long way. He wasn’t the top-ranked corner in the 2025 recruiting cycle for nothing.
Four Deep
Last week, the Buckeyes opened the game in a 4-3 rather than the expected 4-2, so TJ Alford cracked the starting lineup with Payton Pierce and Christian Alliegro. All in all, Alford and Riley Pettijohn led the unit in snaps as they played with both the ones and twos well into the second half.
The Ohio State linebackers are in good hands. Remember, the team is only a few years removed from needing a covered running back and tight end to hold down the fort. Now, you can take your pick of the litter, plus there is a five-star waiting in the wings.
The linebackers are going to be key in this matchup with Texas. Last year, Arvell Reese broke out with his impressive showing. Ohio State will need more of the same this year. They’ll have to remain disciplined and not get caught up in traffic when Texas runs the ball, and will need to get out in space to haul in another interception, as Alford did last week.
The leading tackler for Texas State was a linebacker in Week 1 against the Longhorns. Of course, the Buckeyes’ defensive line is (should be) better than Texas State’s, so we shall see.
The Wilder Card
Speaking of the defensive line, there was an interesting development against Ball State. Sure, Zion Grady getting the start over Beau Atkinson was something to keep in mind, but it was number 34 who flashed every time he was on the field.
Khary Wilder took no time at all to make his presence known. While he didn’t record a single counting statistic, he blew by his assignment on the offensive line a number of times, forcing the Ball State quarterback off his spot and causing havoc. On that Alford interception, Wilder got in for a pressure and forced an off-target pass, right into the waiting arms of the linebacker.
Wilder only played 17 defensive snaps, but he was used as both a defensive end and as a pass-rushing defensive tackle. There was even a play in which Wilder threw the Cardinals’ 300+pound center with just his left arm.
This week is going to be a bit tougher, but Ohio State has found a player that could develop into a real superstar on the defensive line.
The Task At Hand
Manning. Coleman. Wingo. This Texas offense is as advertised. Last year, the Buckeyes were outgained, but were able to force Manning to make mistakes and made him look as pedestrian as his namesake.
That was last year; Manning should be significantly better this year. Against a weak Texas State defense, Manning threw for 305 yards and four touchdowns with one interception. Something to keep an eye on is the fact that he only ran the ball three times for six yards. Manning is known for being a very good athlete and will use his legs when needed, even with designed runs. Just go back and watch the Citrus Bowl against Michigan.
Texas needed a jolt on offense, so it went out and got the top receiver in the portal in Coleman. Despite never eclipsing 1,000 yards in a season, Coleman was a star at Auburn in a very up-and-down offense, let’s say. He scored on the Bobcats twice.
If there is one area in which the Buckeyes can feel confident, it’s the run defense. Texas had its own issues running the ball against a weak opponent, just like Ohio State. The difference is that the Longhorns didn’t have two massive touchdowns to inflate the averages. In total, Texas ran the ball 41 times for just 161 yards (3.9 yards per carry) and one touchdown.
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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