The Texas Longhorns are coming off of a 10-3 record under Head Coach Steve Sarkisian. The Longhorns are coming into the 2026 Season with 19 transfers, most notable being Cam Coleman, Auburn wide receiver transfer, along with Ryan Wingo, and transfer running back from NC State Hollywood Smothers replacing Tre Wisner. Along with getting two new offensive linemen in Laurence Seymore at left guard and Melvin Siani, very experienced linemen.
Arch Manning threw for over 3,000 yards last season with 7 interceptions, with Hollywood Smothers having over 1,000 yards at NC State and 6 TDs, Cam Coleman had over 700 receiving yards with 5 touchdowns at Auburn.
The Longhorns also lost a few guys on the defensive side of the ball, with everyone else on the defensive side of the ball being in the Texas defensive system for over a year or more. The Longhorns are eying a College Football Playoff berth after missing last year due to the loss to the unranked Florida Gators.
On September 12, the Longhorns will host the Ohio State Buckeyes. Ohio State has beaten Texas 2 years in a row, with the Buckeyes bringing back sophomore Heisman finalist, QB Julian Sayin who threw for over 3,600 yards, 32 TDs and 8 interceptions last year, along with the Buckeyes bringing back one of the best wide receivers in College Football, Jeremiah Smith, who had 1,200 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns last season, Brandon Inniss who will start for the first time this season, and true freshman, who is projected to start, Chris Henry Jr. the Mater Dei wide receiver top of last year's class. Along with them bringing back the running back, Bo Jackson.
The Buckeyes also have over 19 transfers, with most notable on the defensive side of the ball being Earl Little Jr. from Alabama and Florida State, who concussed Ryan Williams. On the defensive line you have two transfers, James Smith and Qua Russaw both from Alabama as well. You also have Kenyatta Jackson who had 6.5 sacks last season and Beau Atkinson.
The Longhorns also made a big move this year, hiring Will Muschamp as defensive coordinator, who holds multiple national title rings. He served under the Nick Saban led LSU and also won back to back national titles with the Georgia Bulldogs under Kirby Smart. He was also a defensive coordinator at Texas from 2008 to 2010.
While Ohio State returned Matt Patricia at 3.75 million making him the highest paid defensive coordinator in College Football. The Buckeyes also hired Arthur Smith, former offensive coordinator of the Pittsburgh Steelers to replace Brian Hartline at playcalling. While many criticized the Buckeyes hiring Arthur Smith due to his recent NFL offenses, the move is a massive win for Ohio State's offense. Smith brings in over a decade of NFL coaching experience, meaning he was elite enough to be chosen as one of only 32 people on earth to command an NFL offense. He has many different run schemes and great play action designs that I believe are a perfect complement to Ryan Day's passing system. Far from a step back, Smith provides Julian Sayin with an NFL caliber architect who knows exactly how to manipulate defensive coverages.
Both teams are projected at around a 69-75% chance to make the 2026 College Football Playoff, per ESPN FPI Poll. However considering the talent difference, along with difference in head coaches and coordinators I believe the Ohio State Buckeyes will ultimately come out on top in a 35-27 victory. Ryan Day returns a strong talent in Julian Sayin, Jeremiah Smith, Chris Henry Jr. and Earl Little Jr. While also having the coordinators that I believe will ultimately out coach Steve Sarkisian in play calling.
