This is it. Week 1. The defending champs open their season under the (noon) lights in the Horseshoe, and the opponent is none other than the preseason No. 1 Texas Longhorns. Arch Manning vs. Julian Sayin. Ryan Day vs. Steve Sarkisian. A top-5 showdown right out of the gate. Fans have had this one circled for months, and now it’s here. Here are our top questions heading into the game.

1. Can Julian Sayin handle the spotlight?

All eyes are on Ohio State’s new quarterback. Sayin has looked the part since spring, but there’s a difference between a spring game and 105,000 screaming fans with Arch Manning on the other sideline. Will he settle in and play within himself, or will Texas’s pass rush — especially edge rusher Colin Simmons — force mistakes? Buckeye fans are used to stars at QB. Sayin has the chance to start writing his own chapter right away.

2. Is Arch Manning ready to win in the Horseshoe?

The hype around Arch is real, but this is the stiffest test of his young career. Not only is he going on the road into one of the loudest stadiums in the country, but he’ll also face a defense anchored by All-American safety Caleb Downs and hybrid star Sonny Styles. Texas has the offensive line to protect him, but will Manning be able to stay composed when the Buckeye defense starts disguising coverages and sending pressure from everywhere?

3. Who wins the battle in the trenches?

Jack Sawyer and JT Tuimoloau are gone, but Ohio State’s defensive line is still reloading with Kenyatta Jackson Jr., Caden Curry, and Zion Grady ready to prove they can keep the standard. On the flip side, Texas has a big, physical O-line and a back in CJ Baxter who can punish defenses if given daylight. If the Longhorns control the line of scrimmage, Arch Manning will have the time to pick his spots. If the Buckeyes get home early, the Horseshoe crowd could become the X-factor.

4. Which star receiver steals the show?

Jeremiah Smith might already be the best receiver in college football, and he’s flanked by captain Brandon Innis and Carnell Tate — arguably the deepest WR corps in the country. But Texas has weapons too, and Manning will look to test Ohio State’s corners with his speedsters on the outside. The question is simple: who makes the highlight play first? A 60-yard strike from Sayin to Smith or a deep ball from Manning to a Longhorn wideout could flip momentum instantly.

5. Is this an early playoff preview?

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