Texas v. Ohio (State) Discussion

Frank Costanza

Frank Costanza

2024 and 2025 CTG Supporting Donation Member
Probably warrants a thread as it's the biggest week one matchup in CFB history. I try to be unbiased but have a definite preference on the outcome.

Always really great insights on this board so looking forward to the discussion.

Very random thoughts:

Texas:
- Defense with lots of speed, depth and experience. Should be a top 3 unit nationally.
- Manning? Hype is ridiculous and he's yet to prove anything in a big game situation. One helluva baptism in his first big start. Fascinating from so many angles.
- CJ Baxter appears to be healthy and should be the team's best RB (above and beyond 1,000 yd rusher Tre Wisner from '24).
- Four new offensive linemen. Not an optimal debut trying to engage as a unit in that kind of noise.
- Big TE add from Cal - Jack Endries. He'll likely be Manning's security blanket, especially early on.
- Sarkisian considered an offensive savante but his play calling in critical situations can be suspect
- Needed overhaul at both the placekicker and punter positions.

Ohio -
- Two of the top 5 players in the country with Jeremiah Smith and Caleb Downs
- Elite WR corp led by Smith
- Julian Sayin? I think he's going to be very good but a tough situation to make your debut.
- Replacing 8 starters on defense
- Two new coordinators
- Can go on and on about who was lost from '24 but Ohio just reloads and adds.

Looks to be a clean track on Saturday - clear, low 70s and no wind on Saturday. Great football weather.

No opinion on the side but really like the under as I think both coaches aren't going to get real cute especially given the inexperience under center.

Go Horns.
 
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B.A.R. said:
Good idea.

I still can't believe Matt Patricia is part of this game. I've seen it all.

Two inexperienced starters lends to a slow, methodical start I believe.

Biggest Week #1 game in history? Now I have to research a bit!
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Bill Belichick is coaching a D-1 college football game. I've really seen it all.

I think 1 v. 3 is the biggest opening matchup but I could be wrong. Often happens.
 
Tough game to call. The Shoe will be loud forcing silent snap counts for Longhorns.
Buckeye's wr Smith had like 88, 107, 187, and 3 yards receiving in playoff games. That 3 was against Texas. Hmmm.
Not a fan of Hartline. He was OC in 2023 and that yr was buc's worst offensive scoring avg last 4 yrs. Maybe they leaned on Knowles defense more?
And what does DC Patricia bring??

I'm on the Under but not thrilled with it. And just because it's Columbus leaning Bucs.
 
M.W. said:
i still think Clemson/Georgia in 1982 was bigger. 1981 champs versus 1980 champs. Labor Day, only game of the day. First home night game in UGA history. However, I love UT in this one.

24-14 or so.
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My pops just said the same thing about the game in 82 being bigger ...

Love Texas this week. Not sure I have enough discipline to stay away from betting the farm on it
 
DOUBLEUP4LIFE said:
My pops just said the same thing about the game in 82 being bigger ...

Love Texas this week. Not sure I have enough discipline to stay away from betting the farm on it
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1983 featured the first "week zero" game, the 1983 Kickoff Classic, in which No. 1 Nebraska defeated No. 4 Penn State, 44–6, at the Meadowlands in East Rutherford, New Jersey. That was a big one too. Notably, the defending champs lost in both 1982 and 1983, and I see it happening again this year.
 
M.W. said:
1983 featured the first "week zero" game, the 1983 Kickoff Classic, in which No. 1 Nebraska defeated No. 4 Penn State, 44–6, at the Meadowlands in East Rutherford, New Jersey. That was a big one too. Notably, the defending champs lost in both 1982 and 1983, and I see it happening again this year.
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Pops said he lost a paycheck on Penn St that game ( he was a huge Joe Pa guy back then ) ...

I really don't like Ohio St at all this season. Sure they'll drub the scrubs but a gut feeling they lose 3+ this season ...

Want to take Illini vs the Suckeyes but can't get a line ( does anyone see one anywhere ?)

Close to fading them with PSU +3.5 , Washington +13.5 and Michigan +5.5 ..
 
Teams that lose in game 14 or later are 14-0 ATS (covering by an average of 13.1) in a rematch the following season, if the line is less than 14 points either way..
 
M.W. said:
1983 featured the first "week zero" game, the 1983 Kickoff Classic, in which No. 1 Nebraska defeated No. 4 Penn State, 44–6, at the Meadowlands in East Rutherford, New Jersey. That was a big one too. Notably, the defending champs lost in both 1982 and 1983, and I see it happening again this year.
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I knew you'd have something here!

When I first started researching this last night I found 1984 Meadowlands kick off classic -- Auburn was #1 and lost to Miami! Jimmy Johnson's 1st game I believe. I just can't figure out the Canes ranking.
 
B.A.R. said:
I knew you'd have something here!

When I first started researching this last night I found 1984 Meadowlands kick off classic -- Auburn was #1 and lost to Miami! Ji1983 national championship thmmy Johnson's 1st game I believe. I just can't figure out the Canes ranking.
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Auburn now claims the 1983 national championship that the AP and UPI awarded to Miami.
 
Horns updates:
- Trevor Goosby (starting left tackle) up in the air with a hand injury. Depth already an issue on the line and this doesn't help matters.
- Emmett Mosley likely out today at WR (47 receptions last year Stanford). RS frosh Parker Livingstone gets his snaps
- CJ Baxter appears to be a full go. Pretty amazing one-year recovery from torn LCL and PCL. Those are the two worst. Willis MaGahee like injury.

Can't see this being a typical Sarkisian game. He'll limit the playbook. Crowd / noise, valid concerns on the o-line and inexperienced QB. Try to rely on the run some, get Manning on the outside with his legs and keep his throws that direction as well. On the flip side, I think Sayin sees a ton of heat from Kwiatkowski. Sans short fields from turnovers, the under continues to be all too obvious.

Good luck on your plays today, folks.

Hook 'Em.
 
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Frank Costanza said:
Horns updates:
- Trevor Goosby (starting left tackle) up in the air with a hand injury. Depth already an issue on the line and this doesn't help matters.
- Emmett Mosley likely out today at WR (47 receptions last year Stanford). RS frosh Parker Livingstone gets his snaps
- CJ Baxter appears to be a full go. Pretty amazing one-year recovery from torn LCL and PCL. Those are the two worst. Willis MaGahee like injury.

Can't see this being a typical Sarkisian game. He'll limit the playbook. Crowd / noise, valid concerns on the o-line and inexperienced QB. Try to rely on the run some, get Manning on the outside with his legs and keep his throws that direction as well. On the flip side, I think Sayin sees a ton of heat from Kwiatkowski. Sans short fields from turnovers, the under continues to be all too obvious.

Good luck on your plays today, folks.

Hook 'Em.
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Immensely appreciate the Texas updates right before I put my bet in ..THANK YOU BIG TIME ..

Sweep your slate today

HOOK'EM
 
Frank Costanza said:
Horns updates:
- Trevor Goosby (starting left tackle) up in the air with a hand injury. Depth already an issue on the line and this doesn't help matters.
- Emmett Mosley likely out today at WR (47 receptions last year Stanford). RS frosh Parker Livingstone gets his snaps
- CJ Baxter appears to be a full go. Pretty amazing one-year recovery from torn LCL and PCL. Those are the two worst. Willis MaGahee like injury.

Can't see this being a typical Sarkisian game. He'll limit the playbook. Crowd / noise, valid concerns on the o-line and inexperienced QB. Try to rely on the run some, get Manning on the outside with his legs and keep his throws that direction as well. On the flip side, I think Sayin sees a ton of heat from Kwiatkowski. Sans short fields from turnovers, the under continues to be all too obvious.

Good luck on your plays today, folks.

Hook 'Em.
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Appreciate it
 
Sometimes you just gotta follow what's square. I figured the game would be ultra conservative and play toward an under but not conservative to the extent Sarkisian took it.

- To be considered an elite OC you've got to do it all over the field and not just between the 20s. Again, the Sarkisian lay calling inside the 10 was weird and made zero sense. Same as we saw in the '23 FF against Washington, in the '24 FF against Ohio and again today.
- Terrible coaching at the end of the 1/2....ball at midfield, 4th and not manageable, minute+ left in half, three TOs and a great punter, pin Ohio deep and get the ball back with 40 seconds left in good field position. Sarkisian trots out his offense on 4th, for some reason, then calls a TO, again for some reason, and that strategy has gone to hell.
- Manning obviously will have better days. Big miss to Wingo on the final drive. Tough environment but I'm not worried about him. The coaching didn't help. Get him an easy throw or two out of the gate to settle in, or a QB-designed run. Didn't attempt those.
- Big penalty on the first Ohio TD drive. Held em to 4th down, hands to face, extends the drive. Another big hands to the face negated a safety and a 7-2 game.

You hold the opposition to 200 total yards and you should win the game. But when you make more mistakes than the other team and you're outcoached then that can go out the window.
 
Another bothersome aspect was seeing Sayin iwth a headset on talking to coaches between drives while Manning was sitting on the bench while his OC was trying to manage the game. Not going to change, obviously.
 
Frank Costanza said:
Another bothersome aspect was seeing Sayin iwth a headset on talking to coaches between drives while Manning was sitting on the bench while his OC was trying to manage the game. Not going to change, obviously.
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Never been a fan of Sark back to his USC days. Always felt his and Kiffins play calling cost USC some games. But maybe it was Pete. Anyway I don't know if San Jose can play but Texas will run it up if they can to get Arch rolling. 32 seems light.
 
Was way off on this one , wouldn't have believed if you said the Horns would only score 7 ....That being said if Texas could score points inside the 10 they likely would have won the game 🤣🤣🙃🤔🤔🤔
 
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