Texas State head coach G.J. Kinne made a bold comparison of Ohio State's Week 2 opponent, the Longhorns, after taking a Texas-sized 59-7 beatdown from them at DKR Stadium in Week 1: 2019 LSU.
Specifically, Kinne sees Arch Manning having a similar receiving duo in Ryan Wingo and Cam Coleman that Joe Burrow had with Justin Jefferson and Ja'Marr Chase during the Tigers' legendary title run.
"I think he's probably just playing with a little more confidence with it being Year 2 starting for him," Kinne told CBS Sports. "I would say that's the biggest thing I saw is he just looks more comfortable. Physically, he's as good as there is in college football.
"He's got everything. He's big. He's athletic. He's got a really strong arm. I think he's also got a couple first-rounders at receiver. It kind of reminds me of when Joe Burrow had Justin Jefferson and Ja'Marr Chase. He's got elite weapons around him, and he's really talented."
Manning wasn't perfect against the Bobcats, though Burrow had six interceptions in 2019. Manning's four touchdown passes are certainly a good start on the road to 60, Burrow's total that year.
Wingo has worked on his hands this offseason, while Coleman finally has an elite arm to work with after not having one at Auburn. Manning could make those two top NFL draft picks. Both clearing 1,500 receiving yards like Jefferson and Chase is a challenge, though.
If it happens, it's because Week 2 went the Horns' way. The Buckeyes' defensive coaching staff is obviously staying up all night to prevent that.
Ohio State's secondary faces heavyweight test at Texas in Week 2
Ohio State has a rebuilt safety room without Caleb Downs and is without Davison Igbinosun in its corner rotation. Nickel Lorenzo Styles Jr. was also drafted to the NFL. Changes in the secondary have come.
We don't know what it looks like against elite competition. The Longhorns will provide that on the Forty Acres.
Corners Devin Sanchez and Jermaine Mathews Jr., and safety Jaylen McClain have opportunities to force Manning, Wingo, and Coleman's numbers away from 2019 LSU territory.
So does a linebacker room that has lost Arvell Reese and Sonny Styles and a nickel position starting true freshman Jay Timmons.
Ohio State's chances of playing Texas twice this season are high
If Manning, Wingo, Coleman, and Co. really plan on becoming the next 2019 LSU, they'll have to get through more postseason games than Ed Orgeron's Tigers had to.
Week 2 might not be the last time these two programs meet. Both are projected to be part of the third-ever (and final?) 12-team CFP field this December.
After a massive home-and-home series that brought big business to Columbus and Austin -- Vrbo searches for accommodations in the Austin area are up 40% compared to a typical weekend, and average nightly rates are up 45% for this weekend's game, per Expedia Group -- it'd be a dream for the two to rematch in the CFP.
We'll see how high these two end up in the bracket. That'll directly determine a potential rematch and what it'll take to get it.
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