Ohio State capitalizes on Texas mistakes in a tale as old as time

In a game as complex as college football, sometimes it comes down to two things: turnover margin and penalties.

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It’s an old-school way to look at the sport, but it often rings true. For Texas, it almost always rings true. In all five of Texas’ losses between 2023 and 2024, Texas lost the turnover battle. They lost the penalty battle in three of them. They lost both today.

Ohio State didn’t have to do a lot to win today’s game. Playing sound defense and allowing Texas to make the mistakes was all it took.

The Buckeyes generated just one explosive play all afternoon. Only two plays went for more than 15 yards. Only two plays generated over two EPA, or expected points added. That accounted for three total Ohio State plays. Texas had three explosives, three plays over 2 EPA, and five total plays that surpassed 15 yards. They outgained the Buckeyes by 133 yards, converted five more first downs, and averaged over two yards more per rush.

You see those stats and assume Texas won the game, maybe even comfortably, but that wasn’t the case—and it can mostly be drawn back to turnovers and penalties.

Ohio State kept the ball out of harm’s way all game. Quarterback Julian Sayin didn’t have to make many plays; he just had to put the ball in the hands of his playmakers. He made zero turnover-worthy throws, and Ohio State never coughed the ball up. It was a clean game even before you realized they committed just two penalties for 15 total yards.

“A lot of credit to Ohio State. They played a really disciplined game,” head coach Steve Sarkisian said. “Zero turnovers, only two penalties, they took advantage of their opportunities when they got them. So credit to them.”

Inversely, Texas was caught six times, accruing 50 yards worth of penalties. That’s almost a quarter of the total yards Ohio State produced all game. On top of that, these penalties came at costly times.

“I think we had six penalties for 50 yards. They had two for 15. You know, the turnover margin continues to hold true when it relates to winning and losing football games,” Sarkisian said. “It was one to nothing, and they took the one turnover we had and they turned it into points. So that was a seven-point swing right there.”

Ohio State’s first score came only as a result of defensive miscues. On 3rd and 4 from Texas’ 44, true freshman CB Graceson Littleton made a fantastic play to break up a Sayin pass. The drive was put into an odd spot, and OSU would’ve likely had to take a short punt as the end result of the drive. Instead, Colin Simmons was called for a hands-to-the-face penalty, and rightfully so. OSU marched 15 yards forward.

Then, on 2nd and 9, Malik Muhammad was called for defensive holding. He probably got away with another one later in the game, but this one brought OSU up to the 18. It took them six more plays and a close call on fourth down, but the Buckeyes were able to punch it in and score one of just two touchdowns they’d find all game. An 80-yard drive that stemmed from 30 yards of penalties.

Offensively, Texas committed three false starts and a hold, two of which came late in the game on must-have drives. The holding call on RG DJ Campbell was most impactful, as it led to the only turnover of the game.

With four minutes left on the clock in the third, Texas was gifted great field position at midfield—a chance for Arch Manning to step up and tie the game. A five-yard run looked like a good play at first, but it was called back for Campbell’s hold. It was a 15-yard swing for an offense already struggling to make positive plays. Two plays later, Manning’s errant throw found the hands of OSU CB Jermaine Matthews. That next drive for OSU, aided by the field position Matthews granted them, led to their one explosive: a 40-yard touchdown to Carnell Tate.

“I think overall it was a decent day. Obviously, we wanted to get the win, but for us I think getting turnovers, we had zero today,” senior edge Ethan Burke said. “It’s our goal to get at least three. We didn’t execute today. Ultimately, you know, we still gave them points. It wasn’t perfect.”

Playing complementary football is one of the most important traits of a championship team, and Texas did not do that today. If there’s anything OSU did, it was play complementary. Play patient and wait for your chance to strike. They struck off penalties, and they struck off turnovers. Otherwise, Texas’ defense was perfect, and the offense eventually found a score. This game is a lot different if those two stats go the other way.

Texas won’t lose every turnover battle going forward—the defense is too good to do that—but Sarkisian must find balance going forward. Ryan Day did it today, and Sark will do it in the future. He’s got three easy games to figure it out before a test in Gainesville in early October. They have to be ready then.