The Ohio State Buckeyes defeated the Texas Longhorns on Saturday, neutralizing Arch Manning (17/30, one interception) en route to a gritty 14-7 win at the "Shoe."
CBS Sports' Brandon Marcello relayed Manning having Ohio State safety Caleb Downs on his mind throughout the afternoon -- noting that the offense didn't exactly light the world on fire in their debut.
"The most impressive win in Week 1 deserves a No. 1 ranking ... for now," Marcello wrote. "The Buckeyes' defense was phenomenal despite losing eight starters from last season - that secondary, returning two starters, is elite - and held Texas in check with four fourth-down stops. Arch Manning was flustered and had eyes on safety Caleb Downs all afternoon. Will OSU's offense, which had only 203 yards, show more firepower in the next few weeks?"
If Downs can cover for Manning and get a personal shoutout as a safety, the claims that he's the best defensive player in the country might not be unfounded.
Cleveland.com's Stephen Means believes only Jeremiah Smith is better than Downs overall in the country.
"His athletic ability might’ve been what once made him a five-star recruit in the 2023 class. It’s also what helped him quickly become one of the nation’s best safeties during his only year in Alabama, then build on that success when he transferred to Ohio State. But that mind is why he might be the nation’s unquestioned best defensive player, with the only player in general considered to be better than him being his teammate Jeremiah Smith," Means wrote.
To have a game-changer like Downs affect the outcome of a matchup against the preseason No. 1 team, without the team's offense thriving, is more proof that the Buckeyes are the most horrifying team in the country while reaching their fullest potential.
They just need to do it three or four times starting in December to start a dynasty.