IT Roundtable: Texas vs. Ohio State predictions, keys to the game, 2005 parallels

We are one day away. Just over 24 hours separates Texas fans from seeing Arch Manning and company in Ohio Stadium. Ahead of the season-opening matchup between the No. 1 Texas Longhorns and the No. 3 Ohio State Buckeyes, Inside Texas offers predictions and takes a look at 2005 parallels, keys to the game, players to watch, and more.

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Twenty years ago, Texas went into the Horseshoe at night and emerged victorious. Do you see any parallels between the 2025 Longhorns and the 2005 Longhorns?

Eric Nahlin – Yes, similar to 2005 this feels like the ‘get over the hump’ year. Texas is also fielding a potentially transcendent QB who is big, mobile, confident, and threatens the whole field.

Justin Wells – Two of them: Texas’ elite defense and impactful QB.

Ian Boyd – There’s really quite a few. A dual-threat quarterback looking to establish a legacy, a team stocked with tons of young athletes, and Duane Akina is somehow involved again.

Joe Cook – I do in that they are walking into a prove-it game against another team with similar aspirations. The 2005 game was No. 2 vs. No. 4. This time, everyone is bumped up a slot. The 12-team College Football Playoff has created margin for error that did not exist in 2005, but that doesn’t make this game mean less in my opinion.

Charlie Williams – Ohio State had a first year defensive coordinator, as they do this year. There was also a level of uncertainty at quarterback in 2005 for Ohio State as they rotated guys. This year, the uncertainty is a lack of experience at quarterback.

Evan Vieth – I think there is a game-altering player commanding both offenses, but the defenses are what really stand out. Two teams with NFL talent at every spot and the depth behind them to make it work for a full season.

RT Young – The 2005 team HAD to be perfect, the 2025 team will get a little more grace. But, I do see similarities in the sense that the ’05 team had also been on the doorstep and used their past failures to finally break through. Both teams are superbly talented and have dynamic players/leaders at QB, although you can’t compare Arch to Vince Young… yet.

Paul Wadlington – Not really. Highly ranked Texas with a big early season test that could engender confidence.

Texas has been road warriors the past two seasons. How do they maintain that in front of 100,000+ against the No. 3 team?

Eric Nahlin – Set an aggressive, ‘we’re here to win’ tone early—like we saw the last two times they found themselves in this type of non-conference situation. Or, as their locker room music would say, “Set it off.”

Justin Wells – Steve Sarkisian plays up the road warrior mentality as good as anyone. Plus, having veterans in the program helps.

Ian Boyd – Should be just like it was in Tuscaloosa. They need to be crisp and focused with the gameplan and let the pressure and hype get to the other guys instead of them.

Joe Cook – It all starts with Nos. 16. If the guy wearing No. 16 on offense is in the zone, everything should fall into place. If the guy wearing No. 16 on defense is in the zone, everything should fall into place.

Charlie Williams – Put your best unit, the defense, out there first. Get a quick three and out and go score. Take the wind out of them early. Don’t let off the gas in the second half.

Evan Vieth – Set your offense up for success by running at a high success rate early in the game.

RT Young – They’re the more experienced team versus this young Buckeye squad. Rely on the veterans and leaders like Michael Taaffe, Anthony Hill, Trey Moore, and the run game.

Paul Wadlington – Texas has played with a lot of poise on the road under Sark with relatively veteran teams. The challenge is maintaining that in an environment where communication is limited by crowd noise and the speed of the game. Getting both new Buckeye coordinators on the wrong foot early or identifying some players to pick on early would help.

What lessons, if any, do you take from the 2025 Cotton Bowl?

Eric Nahlin – Those lessons were for last year. Texas didn’t play clean enough to win which was in line with the 2024 team. The pain from the loss certainly fueled the offseason but that’s inconsequential now.

Justin Wells – Run the dang ball on the one-yard-line down a touchdown late in the fourth quarter.

Ian Boyd – Keeping Jeremiah Smith out of the game was definitely very helpful and Texas should want to repeat that outcome.

Joe Cook – Defending screens properly is important.

Charlie Williams – Stay out of 2nd and long. Ohio State is not going to beat themselves, especially on defense, so take advantage of all opportunities.

Evan Vieth – Even the best teams can make some of most head-scratching playcalls and decisions. It is college football, after all.

RT Young – JerryWorld is terrible.

Paul Wadlington – The generalizable lessons you’d take from any loss: pass blocking in critical situations, don’t turn it over in the red zone, don’t lose the middle eight, don’t get bullied in the red zone. Both teams are fundamentally different.

Does Texas follow a similar Jeremiah Smith gameplan to the Cotton Bowl?

Eric Nahlin – They’d be crazy not to. Make the green QB beat you with lesser, though still talented, weapons.

Justin Wells – Perhaps. Malik Muhammad should just be his shadow.

Ian Boyd – Should at least be similar if not the same. There’s really no reason to let that guy loose in one-on-ones.

Joe Cook – I think so, he could be the best player in college football and he’s not the type of player you leave one-on-one if you don’t have a Thorpe Award winner available. I wouldn’t blindly double him, but I would mix the looks he sees to where making pre- and post-snap reads is difficult for him and Julian Sayin.

Charlie Williams – Yes, I think they have to especially with a young quarterback. How comfortable will he be going through his second and third options like Will Howard

Evan Vieth – Yes, but he will play much better this time around.

RT Young – I’m not sure Ohio State will let them, they’re going to get him the ball at all costs

Paul Wadlington – Texas can try, but Ohio State will move him around and he should have much more route diversity in Year 2. We will have to mix it up, play combo coverages, and get home with four.

Texas vs. Ohio State score prediction

Eric Nahlin – 23-13, Texas.

Justin Wells – Texas 23, Ohio State 20

Ian Boyd – Texas 27, Ohio State 17

Joe Cook – 27-24 Texas.

Charlie Williams – 23-20 Texas

Evan Vieth – 24-14 Longhorns

RT Young – 27-16 Texas, Arch Manning leads a late drive that makes it a two score victory.

Paul Wadlington – Texas – 27, Ohio State – 23