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Arch Manning begins his tenure as Texas’ beginning quarterback in opposition to defending nationwide champion Ohio State.
Ohio State leads 7-0 at halftime on a CJ Donaldson 1-yard TD run because the defenses have dominated the primary two quarters. Observe all our protection from our specialists at The Athletic beneath.
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Amongst these in attendance at Ohio Stadium at the moment…
United States males’s nationwide crew head coach Mauricio Pochettino.
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My questions coming into Texas-Ohio State:
Defensive fronts are dominating.
At halftime, Ohio State is a 7.5-point favourite on BetMGM. With a 7-point lead in a sport that was a digital toss up earlier than kickoff, this isn’t a shock. The jarring quantity is the stay level complete of 27.5. That’s comically low and nearly too excessive on the identical time. A 21-point second half would really feel like an offensive explosion after the best way the primary half-hour went.
A variety of points for the Texas offense within the first half. Arch Manning’s accuracy has left so much to be desired. There’s nearly no operating sport to talk of, which renders a variety of what Steve Sarkisian likes to do (play motion go, RPOs) much less efficient. The offensive line has had its fingers full. Texas has performed a couple of dangerous a half of offensive soccer as I’ve seen in a while.
Arch Manning’s longest completion within the first half went for 7 yards.
Steve Sarkisian defended sticking with Quinn Ewers all of final 12 months and we could also be seeing why. Ewers’ expertise and talent to learn stress was at a better stage than Arch Manning, who had extra spectacular bodily instruments. It additionally helped that Texas had three offensive lineman, a large receiver and a good finish who had been all drafted earlier this 12 months. Arch isn’t solely in a brand new place for himself, so are the important thing items round him.
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It’s hardly a great scenario for Arch Manning to make his debut as Texas’ beginning quarterback.
Ohio State’s defensive entrance is mauling Texas’ inexperienced offensive line, and the Caleb Downs-led Buckeyes secondary has additionally executed its half to maintain manning off stability. To not point out the group in “The Shoe.”
However nonetheless, Manning has to do extra. 5-for-10 for simply 26 yards isn’t going to chop it within the second half, and he is aware of it.
Julian Sayin hasn't lit the world on hearth in his first begin, going 6-11 for 53 yards within the first half, however he's had three drops from his go catchers and a fourth that gained't depend due to a Texas penalty. He's been correct when he does throw the ball, however the Buckeyes shall be in search of greater than 103 complete yards subsequent half.
Ohio State needs to be thrilled with its new-look protection underneath Matt Patricia. Arch Manning goes to enter halftime with out a completion downfield on 10 makes an attempt. The secondary has executed a pleasant job sticking to Texas’ receivers and shutting passing lanes properly in zone protection and Manning hasn't been in a position to throw anyone open. That is nearly as good of a primary half as anyone might've requested for from Patricia's protection.
Halftime – Ohio State 7, Texas 0
Seems, in a sport pitting very gifted younger quarterbacks in opposition to very gifted and skilled defenses, the defenses are successful out.
However Julian Sayin and the Buckeyes’ offense have grown extra snug as the sport has gone on.
Can’t say the identical for Arch Manning and Texas but.
Q2 0:35 – Ohio State 7, Texas 0
And with the Buckeyes getting the second-half kickoff, they’ll possible simply kneel this one out.
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Q2 0:43 – Ohio State 7, Texas 0
Ryan Day calls timeout with 43 seconds left as Steve Sarkisian retains his offense on the sphere on fourth-and-3…
…and now Texas calls a timeout.
Q2 1:50 – Ohio State 7, Texas 0
One other missed throw from Arch Manning. This one goes excessive.
Sure, there are a variety of elements working in opposition to him, however Manning owns a variety of blame for his struggles throwing downfield thus far.
Q2 2:00 – Ohio State 7, Texas 0
…and this time, Ohio State must punt from its personal 23-yard line.
Can Arch Manning and Texas’ offense get a much-needed spark earlier than halftime?
Q2 3:33 – Ohio State 7, Texas 0
What a throw and catch from Julian Sayin to Carnell Tate!
Sayin had a blitzing defender in his face and needed to retreat into the tip zone. He slings one down the sideline — and Tate comes again to the ball to get the primary down!
Massive conversion as Texas had regarded to pressure a three-and-out.
Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese may be turning right into a family identify proper in entrance of us. Ohio State has used him as a defensive lineman, in protection, as a blitzing linebacker and in opposition to the run and he's had success doing all the pieces. The junior linebacker leads Ohio State with 4 tackles and has a sack, absolutely giving the quite a few NFL scouts right here so much to be enthusiastic about.
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Matt Patricia’s Ohio State protection is doing all the pieces it might probably to maintain Arch Manning within the pocket and pressure him to undergo his reads. Safeties preserve taking part in excessive, solely leaving brief passes obtainable. Manning has been extraordinarily flustered. He obtained one deep try off, however it was incomplete into double protection.
Q2 5:05 – Ohio State 7, Texas 0
Texas’ offensive line is admittedly struggling proper now, making issues worse for Arch Manning. The Texas quarterback can’t scramble out of that third-down stress and will get introduced down by Arvell Reese.
One other Texas drive stalls out close to midfield, and the Longhorns punt once more.
Texas must get the operating sport happening this drive. A lot of Steve Sarkisian’s offense thrives off the run sport by way of the play motion go. That may give Arch Manning some respiratory room.
