Texas has no shortage of weapons heading into its rematch with Ohio State, but Ryan Wingo might be the one who tilts the field.
Arch Manning gets the spotlight as he looks to bounce back from what’s arguably his worst start since taking over as the Longhorns’ QB1. Hollywood Smothers and Raleek Brown have a chance to make their first real statement as Texas running backs.
Cam Coleman is the big-bodied threat who will force the Buckeyes to pay attention. Even so, Wingo’s role could end up mattering most.
The reason is simple: Ohio State’s defense under Matt Patricia leaned heavily on zone last season, not the kind of coverage that lets cornerbacks live on islands. The Buckeyes played zone on about 72% of their defensive snaps, with a heavy dose of Cover 2 and Cover 3, according to MatchQuarters. That setup lines up perfectly with where Wingo does his best work.
Last season, Wingo averaged only 1.17 yards per route run against man coverage. Against zone, that jumped all the way to 3.00 yards per route run. If Ohio State keeps leaning the way it did a year ago, that’s the kind of split Texas can exploit.
Coleman complicates everything. His size and athleticism make him tough to handle without extra help, and when defenses start shading toward him, openings appear elsewhere. Texas got a preview of that against Texas State.
“There were so many ways we felt like we had to move (Wingo) around to create opportunities for him,” Sarkisian said following the game against Texas State. “With (Coleman) on the other side and the attention that he garners, it allows Ryan for a few more one-on-one opportunities.”
That dynamic showed up immediately in Coleman’s Texas debut. He caught three passes for 70 yards and two touchdowns, while Wingo took advantage of the space around him and finished with seven catches for 121 yards and a touchdown.
It’s the kind of problem Texas wants to keep forcing. Patricia’s defense was the best passing defense in the country last season, giving up just 129.7 passing yards per game. His disguises and coverage changes were a huge part of why Ohio State held Texas to seven points in last year’s matchup.
The Buckeyes aren’t going to scrap a defense that worked that well because of one receiver. But if Wingo keeps finding those pockets in zone, especially with Coleman drawing extra eyes, Ohio State will have to answer for it.
Coleman may be the receiver Ohio State fears most. Wingo could be the one who punishes them for it.
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