Looking ahead to this year’s matchup against Texas down in Austin, there are so many intriguing matchups and storylines to talk about, but the one that resonates with me most is this Buckeye defense versus this Longhorns offense. That is because this is a matchup that can hurt the Buckeyes in ways I don’t think many Buckeye fans have really, truthfully acknowledged, and here is why:
New faces in new places
While there is no doubt in my mind that Ohio State’s defense is going to be good, there is a strong likelihood it is going to take them some time to put it all together. This is because this past offseason they lost seven defensive starters to the draft, all of whom were key contributors.
Especially players like Caleb Downs, Arvell Reese, and Sonny Styles, all of whom were first-round picks, who were versatile chess pieces that allowed Matt Patricia to run so many different looks and disguises that separated them from other defenses.
Now OSU has reloaded nicely with homegrown talent and quality transfer portal additions. They can still be one of the better defenses in the nation, but that does not ensure immediate success, as Matt Patricia has many new, talented players at his disposal, like James Smith (DT), Payton Pierce (LB), Jay Timmons (DB), and Earl Little Jr. (S), all of whom are either young or new to his scheme. A scheme that seems to be a complex one that requires ample communication, things that can only truly be improved upon with live game reps.
This infusion of a lot of new and young players into this defense can lead to some bumps in the road, especially early on, which will hurt the Buckeyes if that is the case against Texas, as they are led by head coach Steve Sarkisian, who at his best is one of the best play callers in the sport. A coach who will love to take advantage of a defense that only has three returning starters and could very well do so, given he has a starting quarterback with much more experience.
Now I did have that same concern going into last year’s Texas game, and we all know how that turned out. So there is a possibility this isn’t an issue, but rebounding after losing massive amounts of defense production in back-to-back years is a lot to ask for, even for Ohio State.
Arch’s jump
As most can tell from my previous work, I am very high on Arch Manning coming into this season, and I wholeheartedly see him becoming the type of quarterback who can give the Buckeyes' defense a ton of trouble. I realize this may seem like a bold declaration given what we saw the last time Arch squared off against the Buckeyes, but please hear me out.
While he didn't live up to many people's expectations, Arch didn't have a terrible year. All that really happened last year was that he got off to an extremely slow start that should have been expected while having to deal with an underwhelming supporting cast that compounded his mistakes further and made everything look worse than it truly was. When you look at how he played each week, he continually improved to the point where, over his final five regular-season games, he threw for nearly 1,500 passing yards, 12 touchdowns, and two interceptions.
The ups and downs of last season needed to happen because they gave him vital experience that helped him grow in every aspect of being a quarterback. It was needed because, physically, Arch had all the tools to scare you, but early on, clear mental barriers were preventing him from looking as good as advertised; now, with all the knowledge he amassed last season, he should play more freely and at his own pace. He'll have more control over the line of scrimmage and give Steve Sarkisian the ability to truly run his offense, which could be very scary for OSU.
Arch is far from the same quarterback Ohio State embarrassed last year in front of the entire nation in the Shoe. He's far more confident and will not be as easily rattled, making him a bigger threat than most really want to admit.
The Cam Coleman effect
Last year, Texas' offense was extremely disappointing, largely because its skill-position players were lackluster. This was an issue Texas addressed with full force this past portal cycle by adding a few of the best playmakers available, including one in particular who changes everything about this offense. That player is Cam Coleman, who is the second-best receiver in the nation behind OSU's Jeremiah Smith.
Now I understand his numbers aren't impressive. They are a byproduct of terrible Auburn quarterback play, but when you turn on the tape, Coleman looks the part. Quite honestly, he looks like he was made in a lab to be your prototypical X receiver, as he is 6'3", has great speed, and a catch radius only second to one.
His addition changes everything about this offense, especially their passing game. This is because one of Coleman's best attributes is that he can be a dangerous downfield threat, and he showcased this at Auburn with subpar quarterback play.
This won't be an issue in Texas, as Arch has the arm to threaten a defense vertically but has yet to have any weapon who can do so at any level, until now. His arrival will not only unlock Arch's games, but it will also do the same for Ryan Wingo. He will now be able to be used in more places in this offense and have more space to operate as a playmaker underneath and over the middle, his two specialties.
Cam Coleman's sheer presence is going to do wonders for this Texas offense, as he is the type of receiver you shift coverage to or, at the very least, account for every snap, which I expect OSU to do. He will also make everyone's life much easier and finally give Steve Sarkisian the ability to attack Ohio State at every level in the passing game.
We have yet to see a Matt Patricia-led Ohio State defense go up against a receiver like Coleman, which doesn't inherently mean this defense will struggle, but should not be dismissed.
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