How's that for a way to kick off the 2025 season, folks?! WOW! I had heard a little bit of talking going on about how Texas was absolutely loaded with talent going into this season, and that Ohio State would be in over their heads.

Texas is fantastic, and they definitely still could be a threat to win the whole thing. But when it came to the battle of the reigning National Champion vs. the current top-ranked team in Week 1? Ohio State reminded Texas, the SEC, and the rest of the country why they're still currently the king of the hill.

Some people probably love high-scoring shootouts, and they definitely are exciting. But I'm definitely into great defense and old-school football when games like this happen. Give me a strong defense, physical running game, and a few sacks over a flashy offense any day. This was great!

But how did Ryan Day and the Buckeyes take down top-ranked Texas today to open 2025 with a win? Let's take a look at the Keys to Victory!

Solid Fundamentals

This was the most impressive part of the day to me, and makes me REALLY excited if Ohio State can play near or at this level all season long!

If you look at the stats and numbers from this one without watching how the game played out, you'd swear Texas should've won this game.

336 total yards to Ohio State's 203. 170 passing yards to Ohio State's 126. 166 rushing yards to Ohio State's 77.

But the place where the Buckeyes won this game isn't found at the top of the stat sheet. Ohio State played one of the cleanest games I've seen in a while. They only committed two penalties for 15 yards, while Texas was called for six penalties that added up to 50 yards.

Three of those penalties came on Ohio State's first scoring drive of the game, and helped the Buckeyes finish off a 13-play, 80-yard drive that chewed up eight minutes.

The Buckeyes also won the turnover battle. They did not commit a single turnover all day, and picked off Arch Manning once to frustrate the Texas offense. This is what I always say: Play clean, and it won't come down to a call at the end of the game to decide victory or defeat.

Several Longhorn fans are complaining about the refereeing on social media, even though it was an SEC officiating crew, so I don't know what they're mad about. They're making excuses for why their team lost the game. Me? I'm just grinning from ear to ear. I'm happy Ohio State played clean football. That's what defending National Champions are supposed to do!

But playing clean football also means that a quarterback needs to make great decisions with the football. And Julian Sayin did just that!

Julian Sayin: Managing the Game

Let me preface this by saying that I was not one of those crazy Buckeye fans (we've certainly got a few of 'em), who expected Sayin to do something crazy like throw for four touchdowns and 400 yards against a great defense like the one Texas has.

Truthfully, I wasn't sure what to expect. I know Sayin is a talented kid. But I really try to have a wait and see attitude with new starting quarterbacks. This will be the case for 2025 with Sayin too.

Did he light it up? No. His final stat line reads like this: 13-20 for 126 yards and a touchdown. But he didn't turn the ball over at all, he threw it away or checked it down when needed, and he didn't force anything. While Arch Manning looked flustered, Sayin looked so cool in the pocket. Stonefaced. And the fact that the moment wasn't too big for him makes me more excited moving forward, than the stat line.

But I know the thing that fired me up the most, was also the main reason Ohio State won this game!

Stout Silver Bullet Defense

I have five words I need to say before talking about these guys: Welcome to Columbus, Matt Patricia!

I do not understand why some people laughed at Ryan Day's choice to hire him. The man is a proven winner. He's won multiple Super Bowls. He's obsessed with details and the small things on defense. I'll take a guy like that any day!

Like I mentioned earlier in the article, Texas outperformed Ohio State in virtually every statistical category. But the big one that stands out to me? The Buckeyes held the Longhorns to just 1-5 (20%) on fourth down. This includes two redzone/goal line stands on fourth down, and the fourth down stop to seal the ballgame when Texas finally found some momentum.

Stuffing the stat sheet doesn't always guarantee a win. Winning the battle of big plays and taking care of business in clutch situations is the name of the game, and the Buckeyes did it today!

X Factor: Carnell Tate

Another thing I don't understand is Texas fans talking smack about how the Longhorns shut down Jeremiah Smith in the Playoff last year, as well as this game. They do know Ohio State has other impact players besides him, right?

Carnell Tate might be one of them if he shows up in other big moments this season. It honestly surprised me when he scored his touchdown to put the Buckeyes up 14-0. Not because I didn't think he could score, but just because I didn't expect him to be the one to catch it. But if I'm any Buckeye opponent from here on out? I'm respecting #17 just as much as #4. If teams refuse to respect Tate? He'll remind just what he can do when given a sliver of daylight. Texas learned a very painful lesson when he hauled in Julian Sayin's 40-yard bomb!

The remaining opponents on Ohio State's schedule would be wise to respect this team. The Buckeyes have plenty of haters. But they are the undisputed National Champs, despite what everybody in Ann Arbor or the Deep South might say. They open the defense of their title with a gritty, hard-nosed win over the Texas Longhorns!

Interesting Facts

• Ohio State now leads the all-time series with Texas 3-2. The Longhorns have wins over the Buckeyes in 2005 and 2009, while Ohio State claimed victories in 2006, last year, and today.

• This was the fourth meeting in college football history between the reigning National Champion and the preseason #1. The reigning National Champion has won three out of four meetings.

• This is Ohio State's first win over the #1 team in the Horseshoe since 1985. In that game, Coach Earle Bruce and quarterback Jim Karsatos led the 8th-ranked Buckeyes to a win over Hayden Fry's top ranked Iowa Hawkeyes, and their Heisman-caliber quarterback Chuck Long.

Statistical Leaders

Julian Sayin: 13-20, 126 yards, TD

CJ Donaldson Jr.: 19 carries, 67 yards, TD

Carnell Tate: 2 receptions, 49 yards, TD

Sources

ESPN, Fox

Picture Credit

On3.com