Cam Coleman didn’t waste much time turning Ohio State-Texas into something louder than it already was.
When he was asked earlier this week what the Buckeyes should expect from him and the Longhorns’ offense, the new Texas receiver delivered a line that will stick with Ohio State’s locker room all week.
"That we're coming," a confident Coleman said. "We're coming."
That kind of comment usually lands as background noise, but not in a matchup like this. Ohio State already had enough reason to treat Week 2 like a heavyweight fight, and Coleman’s words only add a little more heat. The Buckeyes may not need extra motivation, but they’ve got it now.
It also puts more of a spotlight on Matt Patricia, who is tasked with getting Ohio State’s defense ready for a Texas offense that has plenty of firepower. The Longhorns are led by quarterback Arch Manning, with Coleman and Ryan Wingo working on the outside and Hollywood Smothers and Raleek Brown giving the ground game another layer.
That means Ohio State has to be sharp up front, too. On the pass rush, Patricia will be leaning on Kenyatta Jackson Jr. to set the tone. Freshman Khary Wilder could also be part of the conversation after an impressive debut in the win over Ball State.
There’s another possible boost for the Buckeyes as well. Alabama transfer Qua Russaw did not play against Ball State, but he should be making his Ohio State debut against Texas. Ryan Day has not fully committed to Russaw being available, but the signs point that way, and it would be a major help for Patricia’s defense.
The formula is pretty clear: if Ohio State can get pressure on Manning, it becomes much tougher for Coleman, Wingo and the rest of Texas’ receivers to separate and make plays downfield. Patricia will try to dial up the right calls to make Manning uncomfortable, though that is always easier said than done.
Now the challenge is simple for Ohio State: slow down Texas, keep the big plays in check, and make sure Coleman’s “We’re coming” doesn’t sound any louder after the final whistle.
In Other News...
Former Buckeyes Are Already Making Ohio State Fans Look Twice
The early weeks of the college football season always bring a little extra curiosity when former Ohio State players turn up in new uniforms, and this latest update has plenty for Buckeyes fans to track. Lincoln Kienholz made his first career start at Louisville, while Hero Kanu has started to settle in at Texas and Malik Hartford has been part of the rotation at UCLA, giving each of them a chance to show what kind of impact they can have away from Columbus.
For Ohio State followers, the appeal is less about nostalgia than about seeing how these transfers are fitting into bigger roles elsewhere. The weekly check-in includes production and Pro Football Focus grades from recent games, a useful snapshot of who is thriving and who is still finding a rhythm as the season moves along. It is the kind of roundup that can make fans do a double take, especially when a familiar name starts showing up as a real contributor in another programs lineup. [Read more 🡒]
Ohio State May Have Found The Weapon Jeremiah Smith Needed
Ohio States receiving room kept looking for the right kind of complement to Jeremiah Smith, and Devin McCuin has quickly made a case that he can help fill that role. The three-star recruit from Jacksonville, Texas, spent three seasons at UTSA before transferring to Columbus, bringing a veteran feel to a group that already had plenty of high-end talent. Ryan Day took notice after watching McCuins work against Texas A&M, pointing to the traits that tend to earn trust fast from a quarterback and coaching staff.
McCuin backed that up in his Ohio State debut against Ball State, catching six passes for 97 yards and a touchdown. It was the kind of opening act that suggests there may be more here than just a useful depth addition, especially for a Buckeyes offense still sorting out how its pieces fit together. If McCuin keeps showing the same speed, route running and toughness Day praised, Ohio State may have found exactly the kind of target Jeremiah Smith can lean on. [Read more 🡒]
Ohio State Walks Into A Texas Atmosphere Test Fans Can Feel
Ohio States trip to Austin has plenty of football reasons to command attention, starting with a matchup against Texas that already feels like one of the early measuring-stick games of the season. The Buckeyes go in led by quarterback Julian Sayin and wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, and the focus around them is not just on talent, but on how a young offense handles a road setting that should look and sound nothing like a normal September Saturday.
Matthew McConaughey, a visible Texas supporter, spent time on ESPN talking about the setting and the kind of test Ohio State should expect at DKR. The larger point is clear enough for the Buckeyes: this is the sort of atmosphere that can squeeze every mistake, reward every surge, and turn the smallest communication issue into a bigger problem. For Ohio State, surviving the crowd may be almost as important as surviving the Longhorns. [Read more 🡒]