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<\/a><\/p>\nAUSTIN, TX – NOVEMBER 28: Defensive end Colin Simmons #1 of the Texas Longhorns on the field during the SEC football game between Texas Longhorns and Texas A&M Aggies on November 28, 2025, at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, TX. (Photo by David Buono\/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) Icon Sportswire via Getty Images<\/p>\n
The most notable play from Simmons in the game came when he was flagged for a personal foul when he ripped Phillip Daniels\u2019 helmet off, keeping a Buckeye drive alive that would end with their first touchdown of the game.<\/p>\n
Simmons would put up big numbers the rest of the season, finishing with 12 sacks on his way to earning first team All-SEC honors. The junior from Dallas started the 2026 season with a fumble recovery last week against Texas State.<\/p>\n
1) Don\u2019t abandon the run<\/p>\n
Last season Ohio State only gained 77 yards on the ground against Texas on 34 carries. Even though the Buckeyes only averaged 2.3 yards per carry, sticking to the ground helped them hold onto the football for 33 minutes, wearing on the Longhorn defense on a hot day in Columbus.<\/p>\n
This year is a little different since Julian Sayin not only is entering his second season as starter, the quarterback has the luxury of Jeremiah Smith at wide receiver. Ohio State needs to be effective at running the ball though, as they can\u2019t allow Texas to load up on defending the pass.<\/p>\n
With four backs to spread the carries around to, the Buckeyes need to rotate guys in and use their depth to gnaw away at the opposing defense. Some of the running won\u2019t be pretty but it serves a purpose.<\/p>\n
Last year we saw how a critical penalty can swing a game.<\/p>\n
Colin Simmons was flagged for a personal foul when he pulled off offensive lineman Phillip Daniels\u2019 helmet, keeping an Ohio State drive alive. The Buckeyes would go on to score their first touchdown of the game at the end of drive, taking a lead against the Longhorns that they would never give up.<\/p>\n
With the two teams playing for the third time since January 2025, emotions will likely be high under the lights in Austin. With the two teams separated by just a few spots in the rankings, a critical penalty could very well end up deciding the game.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re a Buckeye, you don\u2019t want to be the one who loses their cool and possibly costs Ohio State the game.<\/p>\n
Texas will try and get under Ohio State\u2019s skin, which they failed at last year in Columbus. The refs will likely be quicker to throw flags for the Longhorns since this game is in Austin, so the best strategy for the Buckeyes is to not give the refs anything to make them even think about throwing a flag when it comes to any personal foul penalties.<\/p>\n
3) Protect Legend from himself<\/p>\n
There\u2019s no question Legend Bey is an incredible athlete. The true freshman running back is already being compared to Heisman Trophy winner Reggie Bush. If Bey keeps making plays like we saw in the opener against Ball State, he could be seeing the majority of the carries at running back before the end of the season.<\/p>\n
What could keep Legend off the field is some of his decision-making. Just look at some of his kick returns last week against Ball State. On one occasion, Bey blasted through the stop sign of team captain Brandon Inniss. The decision to ignore Inniss ended about as poorly as you\u2019d expect, with the return resulting in a minimal gain.<\/p>\n
Bey might have been able to get away with some of those decisions against Ball State. Straying from the advice of his elders won\u2019t fly on Saturday night in Austin. The freshman will likely be juiced to get on the field since he is from Texas.<\/p>\n
Bey just needs to use that energy to positive use and not make a silly mistake that could cost Ohio State the game.<\/p>\n
Notable Ohio State\/Texas connections<\/p>\n
The defensive end from Germany committed to Ohio State out of high school, appearing in 27 games for the Buckeyes before jumping into the transfer portal after the 2024 season.<\/p>\n