College football analyst RJ Young has dubbed the upcoming Ohio State-Texas matchup in August “appointment viewing,” as the two blue-bloods will duke it out in a College Football Playoff Semifinal rematch. This high-stakes Week 1 showdown, confirmed to air as Fox’s Big Noon kickoff, features two teams expected to finish in the top five.
The clash represents more than just a season opener; it could also be a preview of the national title. “I think this game could feature the two teams playing for the national championship in 2025, and that’s not that tough a stretch,” Young declared, highlighting the star power of quarterbacks Arch Manning and Julian Sayin.
Analyst Breaks Down Why Matt Patricia’s Defensive Strategy Will Shape Ohio State-Texas Rematch
In his recent college football show, Young emphasized that beneath the headline matchups lies a crucial strategic battle.
“Underneath all of that, Matt Patricia is going to get the what, for, and how now pretty quickly. There’s already a bunch of Ohio State fans who are skeptical about this choice at defensive coordinator.”
Young noted Ohio State HC Ryan Day’s deliberate approach. “It was almost clear from the jump that Ryan Day did not want to go into the college ranks to get a defensive coordinator. He wanted to go into the NFL.” Day himself has called Patricia “one of the brighter defensive minds in football.”
Patricia’s defensive philosophy will be immediately tested against Steve Sarkisian’s deceptive offense. Young explained, “Steve Sarkisian, who loves motion, who loves to put guys in unconventional positions and to fool the defense with their eyes, he is counting on you following players and not the ball.”
Young believes Patricia should force Manning to scramble. “I want Arch Manning out running the football, right? I don’t want him standing in the pocket having a good time throwing passes all over the yard because if you have him out running the football, I have an opportunity to hit him.”
While fans focus on offensive firepower, Young emphasizes, “Hardcore college football fans want to tell you, you play defense, you run the football, you can do whatever you want. If you can do those two things, you can win championships.”
RELATED: Texas Gears Up With Double Power in 2025, One Season After Ohio State Sets the Bar
Day’s spring game provides crucial reps as Patricia implements his system with eight new defensive starters. The matchup between Patricia and Texas’s offensive line could be decisive.
“That’s going to be the first place where I’m looking to overload and exploit if I am Matt Patricia,” Young analyzed, explaining how this approach could neutralize Manning’s passing attack.
Despite initial skepticism, Day’s strategic hire represents more than filling a vacancy. It integrates NFL defensive expertise with Ohio State’s core identity for a game-changing edge against Texas and throughout the 2025 season.
The reigning national champions and DC Matt Patricia will host the Texas Longhorns on FOX on August 30 at 12 p.m. ET.
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in college football, men’s college basketball, women’s college basketball, and college baseball!
