You don’t must ask Bijan Robinson if he’s excited for Saturday’s marquee showdown between his alma mater Texas and Ohio State. The Falcons Professional Bowl working again, who’s participating in School Colours Day, was rocking a burnt orange Texas hoodie throughout a latest interview whereas encouraging faculty soccer followers to rock their faculty’s shade whereas unleashing their alter ego.
Robinson, who initially dedicated to Ohio State earlier than finally committing to and enjoying for Texas, provided some recommendation to present Texas quarterback Arch Manning, who will make his first highway begin and third profession begin Saturday in opposition to the second-ranked and reigning nationwide champion Buckeyes. Robinson provided sound recommendation that was primarily based on his expertise throughout his first sport within the NFL.
“I think for him, it’s really important to tune out everybody around him,” Robinson stated throughout a one-on-one interview with CBS Sports activities. “[Tune out] the stadium. Just focus on the field, on what he has to do, the coaching, the coaching points and the adjustments, everything. When he can focus on that and put his mindset on that, then everything else will take care of itself.”
Robinson stated {that a} key to his success throughout his NFL debut was focusing and following his teaching factors and “many cues.” That mindset clearly labored; Robinson scored his first profession landing that day, caught every of his six targets and averaged 5.6 yards per carry whereas serving to lead the Falcons to a win over the Panthers to kickoff the 2023 common season.
Finally, Robinson stated, God-given potential usually takes over throughout a soccer sport. He expects that to occur to Manning in some unspecified time in the future throughout Saturday’s sport in opposition to Ohio State. Robinson additionally feels that Manning’s background offers him one other benefit.
“I think he’ll be ready to go,” Robinson stated. “I don’t think anything will phase him. You know, he’s been around this game for his whole life, and he has uncles that are Hall of Famers. I think it’s going to be a good test for him, but he’ll be fine.”
Historical past is on Manning’s aspect what it involves Texas quarterbacks having success at Ohio State. Saturday’s sport will happen practically 20 years to the day after Vince Younger led the Longhorns to an exciting, last-minute win over Ohio State in what was the primary assembly between the 2 storied applications. Texas went onto seize the nationwide title that season after dethroning USC within the Rose Bowl in what was one other instantaneous basic.
School soccer energy scores: Ohio State, Texas lead listing of prime groups heading into 2025 season
Tom Fornelli
The enjoying discipline will even be considerably stage Saturday concerning the quarterbacks and their expertise stage. Like Manning, Ohio State additionally has a brand new beginning quarterback this 12 months in freshman Julian Sayin, who was just lately named the starter over Lincoln Keinholz. Manning isn’t an skilled faculty quarterback, however he may have two extra profession begins than his counterpart on Saturday heading into kickoff.
Whereas Manning continues to be writing his legacy at Texas, Robinson is raring to proceed writing his within the NFL. His favourite working again rising up was TCU product LaDainian Tomlinson, however Robinson nonetheless takes nice satisfaction in persevering with the custom of completed NFL working backs that got here out of Texas — an inventory of backs that features Corridor of Famer Earl Campbell, fellow former Heisman Trophy Winner Ricky Williams and former Chiefs All-Professional Jamaal Charles. Robinson stated these gamers have helped encourage him in additional methods than one.
“It’s a blessing, man,” he stated. “These guys have arrange the success of the working again at Texas. So for me to observe it and proceed to push it within the NFL, it’s been actually cool. Getting to speak to them and being round them and letting them be my massive brothers and provides me recommendation whereas I’m on the sphere.
“I want the guys behind me to do the same thing. I just continue to try to preach goodness into them. And it’s pretty special that my whole running back room is in the NFL. It’s a blessing to see all those guys continue to keep playing in this league.”
