The Austin American-Statesman's David Eckert found a stat that gives him confidence in the Texas Longhorns' ability to contend with the rabid Columbus crowd at Ohio Stadium when Arch Manning and Co. battle the Buckeyes in Week 1:
Ohio State's crowd somehow didn't force more than a pair of penalties every game during the 2025 season.
"That’s a lot of moving parts to align correctly beneath the din created by 103,000 fans. Each twitch in the wrong direction, step out of line or misunderstood command comes with the penalty of five crucial yards in a game between two teams ranked in the top three of the preseason AP Poll," Eckert wrote.
"But that cacophony of voices didn’t always create an excess of pre-snap penalties last season for the Buckeyes’ opponents. In nine games at Ohio Stadium last season, OSU’s opposition committed two procedural penalties per game on offense and special teams."
Hear that, Buckeye Nation? They're not hearing you enough.
Mr. Eckert may have found the perfect motivation for OSU in one of the biggest opening games a defending champion has ever played in. Quite frankly, it's unacceptable that there aren't more penalties called at 411 Woody Hayes Dr.
Or is it?
Well, the Buckeyes destroyed every opponent they played at home besides the Nebraska Cornhuskers. And that other team that pulled off one of the 2024 college football season's flukiest wins.
The fewer tense moments a game has, the less chance of a penalty. There was very little drama at Ohio Stadium last season. It makes perfect sense why the crowd wasn't as much of a factor last year as you'd think. They simply didn't need to be.
If anything, visiting teams ought to feel the guilt for not giving ticketholders a better viewing experience. Not that any Buckeye fan is complaining about how last season went, Week 14 against TTUN aside.
Be warned, Longhorns. Columbus crowds may be more disruptive than they appear.