Ohio State’s defense under Matt Patricia delivered a statement in a 14-7 win over Texas, clamping down Arch Manning and forcing four key stops that flipped the field late. A goal-line stand and two fourth-down stops in the final minutes underscored buy-in and adaptability from a unit rebuilt after major losses. The disguises and front rotations — including Downs at corner and Reese rushing — left Manning repeatedly off rhythm and kept Ohio State in control when the offense stalled.

The win highlighted the preparation and belief that Day emphasized, with Patricia weaving complex looks to disrupt timing and limit explosive plays. Manning finished with a late surge, but OSU’s defense held firm when it mattered, signaling a potentially transformative season arc for the Buckeyes’ unit as the roster cohesion grows behind new schemes.

In a game defined by a handful of pivotal plays, OSU’s defense showed it can win games on stops, and the message from the sideline was clear: work in the dark pays off when the lights come on.

Week 1 offered a burst of fantasy cues: Arch Manning struggled as Texas fell 14-7 to Ohio State, underscoring a stubborn defense and a rookie QB learning the pace. Florida State stunned Alabama 31-17 behind a dual-threat attack, while LSU held off Clemson 17-10 to show efficiency in both the air and on the ground. Auburn and Tennessee flashed strong run-games and playmakers, and several SEC teams rolled to high-scoring openers.

Big takeaways: early-season defenses still matter, but efficient backfields and breakout receivers can swing weekly fantasy value. Georgia’s balance, Oklahoma’s aerial efficiency, and Ole Miss’s explosion for 600+ yards provide a spread of targets for early-week planning. Monitor quarterback transitions and rushing workloads as teams settle into the season.

LSU’s Week 1 road upset of Clemson vaults the Tigers into the national title conversation as the roster finally fits Brian Kelly’s vision. A stifling defense led by Harold Perkins Jr. and Mansoor Delane, plus a rising Garrett Nussmeier, anchor a unit that can carry LSU through an open SEC. DraftKings lists LSU at +1000, signaling belief in a breakout season after snapping a five-game season-opening skid.

Across the country, Alabama falters, Utah blooms on offense under new schemes, and Ohio State’s defense looks elite under Matt Patricia. The Week 1 mix suggests a shifting landscape where the playoff field could expand beyond the usual suspects, with AAC teams like Tulane and USF already showing early playoff relevance among the Group of Six contenders.

Ohio State opened the 2025 season with a 14-7 win over Texas, leaning on a suffocating defense that stymied Arch Manning and the Longhorns. Matt Patricia’s debut as the defensive maestro paid dividends as the Buckeyes bottled up Texas and fed momentum to a unit that looks championship-caliber. Offense laboring at times, OSU still found a way to prevail, underscoring the value of depth on both the defensive line and the back end.

Texas struggled to sustain drives, Manning under pressure, and injury updates like Kenyatta Jackson Jr. swirling after the game. Ryan Day publicly praised the defense after a seven-point outing by Texas, hinting that Columbus may ride this elite unit to win games even when the offense isn’t blazing. Across outlets, the takeaway centers on OSU’s defensive masterclass, resilience, and the early-season signal that Columbus remains a fortress.

The narrative for fantasy and betting leans toward the Buckeyes’ defense as a weekly pivot, with Texas’ offense showing ceiling concerns early. The game’s spread and over/under will warrant close watching as OSU leans on its depth and schematics to close gaps, while Texas searches for cohesiveness on offense in future matchups.