Ohio State vs. Texas Roundtable Discussion: Predictions, how the teams match up, keys to victory
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- Опубликовано: 26 янв 2025
- There is still a sense for some Ohio State players that they haven't done anything yet, even after winning twice already this postseason to get into the College Football Playoff semifinal at the Cotton Bowl against Texas.
"Absolutely. I have been here for four years, and I have absolutely no hardware to show for it," receiver Emeka Egbuka said. “That’s really on the forefront of our minds.”
While Ohio State is the only school to appear in four of the last six CFPs, all since Ryan Day became head coach, and won four consecutive Big Ten titles from 2017-20 before Egbuka and most of the current players arrived, the Buckeyes' last national championship was 10 years ago. That was the first season of the four-team College Football Playoff, when they won the title at AT&T Stadium, the home of the NFL's Dallas Cowboys where they play the in-state Longhorns (13-2).
The winner Friday night advances to the national title game in Atlanta on Jan. 20.
Ohio State (12-2) is the No. 8 seed now favored to win the national title after two lopsided playoff wins: 42-17 at home against Tennessee before a dominating 41-21 win over undefeated Big Ten champion and top seed Oregon in the Rose Bowl on New Year's Day.
“We’re just fighting to get another opportunity to play with each other,” said linebacker and captain Cody Simon, one of nine Ohio State players still around from 2020. “That's our biggest motivator right now. ... We don't want to end this run right now."
Texas last won the national title 19 years ago, and didn't make its CFP debut until last season as the Big 12 champion. Coach Steve Sarkisian's Longhorns are now the last team standing for the SEC, the only league to be represented in the semifinals each year - and has six of the last nine national champions.
The 15 games for the Longhorns, who played in the SEC championship game before wins over Clemson and Big 12 champ Arizona State, are already one more than they had ever played in a single season.
"I like the new playoff dynamic. It’s fun,” Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers said.
“We’re obsessed with finishing up,” said Longhorns All-America senior cornerback Jahdae Barron. “But we’re obsessed with being enamored with us, and giving every day the respect that it deserves. And just being loving to one another and having a level bond with one another and continuing to build the culture.”
Championship QBs
Ohio State quarterback Will Howard and Ewers both won Big 12 championships the last time they played at AT&T Stadium.
Texas was the Big 12 champ last season. Howard transferred to Ohio State from Kansas State, which two years ago beat CFP-bound and undefeated TCU in overtime for that league title.
Howard started three games against Texas while with the Wildcats. Those were all losses, as was a fourth game when he was on the sideline.
Chasing Smith
The best matchup of the game could be Barron vs Buckeyes freshman receiver Jeremiah Smith. The 5-foot-11, 200-pound Barron won the Thorpe Award as the nation’s top defensive back. But Barron gives up four inches and 15 pounds to Smith, the second-team All-American who may be the most electric freshman in the country. Smith has 70 receptions for 1,224 yards and 14 touchdowns. Smith has four touchdowns in these playoffs.
“He’s a big baller. Strong,” Barron said. “He’s a physical player, and I’ll have to be physical.”
Protecting Ewers
In its two losses to Georgia this season, Texas struggled to protect Ewers and surrendered 13 sacks. Now the Longhorns face a Buckeyes defensive front that sacked Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel eight times in the Rose Bowl. Jack Sawyer and J.T. Tuimoloau each had two sacks in that game. Sawyer was Ewers’ roommate when the Longhorns QB spent a semester in Columbus before transferring to Texas.
Cotton history
Texas is playing in its 23rd Cotton Bowl, the most for any team. But this is the Longhorns' first in 22 years. Ohio State is in its second Cotton Bowl in a row, and fourth overall, after losing 14-3 to Missouri last season.
See you again soon
While the winner plays for the national title, the loser goes into an offseason that will lead up to a rematch when the two teams meet in a 2025 season opener at Ohio State on Aug. 30.
Their only previous regular-season meetings were a home-and-home series in 2005 and 2006. The road team won both of those games and went on to play for the national championship - Vince Young and the Longhorns beat Southern Cal for the 2005 national title. Ohio State lost to Florida the following season.
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You guys do great in your reporting very entertaining!!!
I love Nicole’s energy! Great discussion from all four, Go Bucks!
I met Dom long time ago when he stopped at White Castle, i was working at. He was on the 11: news back then, stopped in before he went home
Bobby looks like his mom dressed him for 6th grade picture day.
Thanks for the content 🎉
GO BUCKS 😤💯
Coach Day is great!!! Well done Sir!!
I love Nicole she's so adorable 🥰🥰🥰🥰 Short horns don't know what's about to hit them. ..O.....H.....
Buckeyes - All - The - Way !!
❤
bobby is hilarious lol
The national title game is friday night texas or ohio state who ever wins will win the title in Georgia. nd cant stop the run.
One BIG 10 team down one more to go. Texas vs Notre Dame for the national championship and Texas wins and is crowned national champion. Texas 27 - Notre Dame 17.
@TristenCoon-bw3sndon’t over look Ohio state my friend you still have to play the game.
@@freeone5534 No no no, Ohio State's coaches, players, and fans are the one's doing the overlooking. They think just because Texas hasn't looked the greatest in these past two playoff games that they just won't show up this game either and it'll just be an easy win but nah... that's not how it's going to be. Texas will show up and fight to the end and make these Ohio State punks cry and realize they should have never overlooked this great of an opponent. Texas mud stomped Michigan in Ann Arbor the very team Ohio State lost to for the fourth time in a row.
@ we will see buddy
@@freeone5534 I'm just saying I can tell by those Ohio State players and coaches attitudes they're being cocky and arrogant and are going to get punched in the mouth and not see it coming.
Love ya, Dom
Go Texas!!!!
Revenge for 05 Bobby, I still can’t believe Hamby dropped that TD. Go Bucks
Why not Ohio State!!??
Texas is going to shock the world.
Caleb Downs is going to be a real problem for Texas. He moves and reacts so well, I know he`s going to have a huge interception -- maybe 2. That will be the difference in this game. Ohio State 27 - Texas 23.
🤘
Texas has to bring their A+ game and focus on every play or they will lose!
tOSU 48, UT 17
42-28 Bucks on a mission!
Holy left ear
Really??
Buckeyes win 42 to 21
Yeah, throw right to Texas. Go Horns!!¡
Dom and Tim it’s time to retire… Bobby whats going on with the left side of your head? Anyways the Suckeyes gets smacked against Texas. Sark and his Longhorns will bring the heat both on offense and defense. Ryan Day will only have ONE answer “We didn’t execute”…
Thx yet again for your expert opinion and analysis. Your consistent negativity really shows what a true fan you are. You should consider starting your own podcast so all the fans with low football IQs can gather in one comment thread instead of crapping all over these other OSU video threads
Man. Dom's slippin'. Age is showing. Not as sharp as he used to be. Sad to see. Been watching him for years.
Day and his buddies will find a way to lose. I don’t like day win or lose!
Tim May should go play in traffic.