The spotlight around Texas and Ohio State has been glued to the quarterbacks and the playmakers, but the real hinge point in this No. 4 vs. No. 1 matchup sits a few yards closer to the ball. On Saturday, the Longhorns’ defensive front and the Buckeyes’ offensive line will matter just as much as Arch Manning, Julian Sayin, Cam Coleman and Jeremiah Smith.
That’s because this is where games get decided. Both teams have linemen who looked sharp in Week 1 against lighter opposition, but now they’re stepping into the first true stress test of the season. And both front groups are working under new coordinators, which adds another layer to an already loaded matchup.
Ohio State brings back five veteran starters up front, and they handled Ball State well in the opener. Under new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, the Buckeyes showed they could run the zone scheme effectively, and the first unit gave up zero sacks and only three pressures combined.
Carson Hinzman was the standout in that group. The center posted a Pro Football Focus run-blocking grade of 68 and a pass-blocking grade of 77.9. He’ll have a familiar face across from him in Austin, too, with former teammate Hero Kanu now on the Texas side after recording a quarterback hurry and two tackles against Texas State, according to PFF.
Hinzman’s day won’t get any easier because of the bodies Texas can roll through the middle. Ian Geffrard, the four-star Arkansas transfer who weighs 375 pounds, turned in the best overall PFF grade on the defense at 83.3. Along with Kanu, Maraad Watson, Justus Terry and Alex January, he gives Texas a deep interior rotation and the chance to keep fresh legs attacking all game.
The toughest assignment up front may belong to tackles Ian Moore and Phillip Daniels, who will have to deal with edge rusher Colin Simmons. Simmons has gone without a sack in his previous two games against Ohio State, and that gives him plenty of incentive heading into this one.
Sayin, for his part, is dangerous when he can stay on schedule. He’s an elite in-structure passer, but once the play breaks down, things get tougher for him. If Simmons can force that discomfort early, Texas can knock the Buckeyes off rhythm and put real pressure on their game plan.
And that’s where the Longhorns’ defensive front ties into the bigger picture. If Texas can control the run and force Ohio State into longer, more predictable downs, it can also help dictate time of possession.
The stars will get the clips and the headlines. But in this game, the linemen may end up making the loudest statement.
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