The Texas Longhorns football team is ready to take the field in the Horseshoe this weekend against the Ohio State Buckeyes. I don't think either team predicted that they would be two of the top teams in the nation when they scheduled this game years ago. However, it's now a reality as Texas looks to get its revenge against Ohio State for eliminating them in the CFP Semifinals last year. It's going to be a great matchup on Fox Saturday morning.
With recent reports suggesting the game might be a lopsided win for Texas, some bold predictions could come true. I could see the Longhorns' running back duo combining for over 300 yards this weekend, and Arch Manning could have one of the best games of his young career.
Here are four bold predictions for the Texas vs. Ohio State game this weekend:
1. Texas RBs stampede over the Buckeyes
C.J. Baxter and Quintrevion Wisner are ready to get the season started after both players ended up on the preseason Doak Walker Award list. I think the Longhorns' running back duo could combine for over 300 yards rushing this weekend, and I wouldn't be surprised if they were able to wear out the Buckeyes' defense early on in the game. If the Longhorns want to make a statement against Ohio State, Steve Sarkisian needs to unleash his rushing attack.
2. The nation meets Colin Simmons
College Football fans across the United States are about to be introduced to one of the Longhorns' greatest defensive weapons. Colin Simmons could be walking away with more than three sacks this weekend, as he's one of the most dominant and athletic defensive players on the Longhorns. With the Buckeyes starting a young, inexperienced quarterback this weekend, Simmons is about to have a feast and introduce himself to midwest college football fans.
3. Julian Sayin has game to forget
Ohio State Head Coach Ryan Day has every right to select Julian Sayin to be his starting quarterback for Saturday. That being said, an inexperienced quarterback going up against a veteran defense is not going to be pretty for the Buckeyes. That's why I think Sayin will have under 175 yards passing this weekend. Longhorns Safety Michael Taaffe will have the secondary batting down passes and making life hard for Sayin to move the ball down the field.
It might not be the debut Sayin imagined that he would have.
4. Arch Manning dominates the Buckeyes
To wrap up my bold predictions for this week, we can't forget Arch Manning. He's taking over the QB throne from Quinn Ewers, who made the Dolphins' 53-man roster on Tuesday. I'm predicting Manning to have over 300 yards passing and fewer than 10 incompletions. Based on what I saw during his start last season when Ewers got hurt, Manning is more than capable of pulling this off. Can he do it against a solid Buckeyes defense? That will be the question he needs to answer on Saturday.