Editor’s note: This story is part of a two-piece preview looking at the strengths and weaknesses of Texas football in relation to its Cotton Bowl opponent, Ohio State. You can read the first piece here.
Texas football coach Steve Sarkisian said Friday that he believes Ohio State, the Longhorns‘ Cotton Bowl opponent, to be the best team in college football.
Was that public posturing from Sarkisian to underline Texas’ underdog status? Or was it an honest evaluation of a Buckeyes team that has steamrolled its way through the first two rounds of the College Football Playoff? Perhaps a bit of both?
No matter, it’s clear Ohio State is a formidable opponent for Texas to manage. OSU dominated top-seeded Oregon in the Rose Bowl after making short work of a strong Tennessee team in the opening round.
The winner of Cotton Bowl moves on to the national title game against the winner of the Orange Bowl between Penn State and Notre Dame.
Here’s the case for the Buckeyes (12-2) to beat the Longhorns (13-2) on Friday (6:30 p.m., ESPN):
BUY TICKETS TO WATCH UT AT THE COTTON BOWL
Texas is more vulnerable in pass protection than you think
The 2024 Joe Moore Award — given annually to college football’s best offensive line — went to Army, which surrendered just six sacks across 14 games in its run-heavy scheme.
Oregon was one of the other three finalists. It seemed like a strong choice at the time. The Ducks gave up just 13 sacks in 13 games heading into the College Football Playoff. Then Oregon matched up with Ohio State in the Rose Bowl, got down big early, and became powerless to stop the OSU pass rush. The Buckeyes sacked Dillon Gabriel eight times before the final whistle blew.
TALE OF THE TAPE: Texas vs ASU film study: Unpacking Quinn Ewers’ heroism and what it means for Ohio State game
The third finalist for the award was Texas. The Longhorns are the pass-protecting misfits of that trio, allowing 2.2 sacks per game to rank in the bottom half nationally.
Now, they’ll have to deal with the third-best pass rush in college football. Led by JT Tuimoloau’s 10 sacks, the Buckeyes average almost 3.4 sacks per game.
Texas vs Ohio State: Longhorns’ secondary set for big challenge in Cotton Bowl
The Longhorns avoided eight of the top 10 names on the SEC’s receiving yardage leaderboard this season.
Friday, they’ll have to face Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith, who sits sixth in the country with 1,224 receiving yards as a true freshman. Fresh off a 187-yard showing against Oregon, Smith will be the most prolific wideout the Longhorns have encountered this season.
Texas played Arkansas’ Andrew Armstrong, who led the SEC in receiving, and kept him in check to some degree, allowing six catches for 74 yards.
But the Buckeyes have more than just a single weapon. Receivers Emeka Egbuka and Carnell Tate have both surpassed the 600-yard threshold this season. Texas’ only other encounter with a receiving corps that balanced came in the first round of the CFP against Clemson. The Tigers passed for a season-high 336 yards against the Longhorns.
EWERS: Texas football vs Ohio State: What Ryan Day said of Quinn Ewers’ transfer from Buckeyes
Texas football’s turnover dominance has dried up
The Longhorns haven’t won the turnover battle since a Nov. 16 victory at Arkansas.
In five games since, Texas owns a minus-1 turnover differential. Is it a coincidence that such a stretch came in the most difficult portion of the Longhorns’ schedule? Probably not. Texas’ turnover margin in games against College Football Playoff teams sits at minus-2.
It’s worth pointing out that the Buckeyes haven’t exactly been turnover titans themselves. They’ve given it away 14 times and forced 17 takeaways so far this year.
But big question marks surround the Longhorns’ ability to build themselves a strong platform in the game’s margins. Their turnover troubles have been compounded by special teams’ frailties lately. Kicker Bert Auburn converted on just 64% of his field-goal attempts this season, missing two of his three attempts in the Peach Bowl against Arizona State.
Reach Texas Insider David Eckert via email at deckert@gannett.com. Follow the American-Statesman on Facebook and X for more. Your subscription makes work like this possible. Get access to all of our best content with this tremendous offer.
We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. USA TODAY Network newsroom.
This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Texas vs Ohio State: 3 reasons why Buckeyes will win Cotton Bowl
