Ohio State enters the Cotton Bowl semifinal as the lowest seed remaining in the College Football Playoff, yet many view them as the favorite to capture the national championship on January 20 in Atlanta. The Buckeyes have displayed formidable power, having decisively defeated Tennessee and the top-ranked Oregon in their previous matchups, showcasing a high-octane offense that has overwhelmed two of the league’s strongest defenses.
Faced with this challenge, Texas will look to improve its offense after narrowly escaping defeat against Arizona State in the Peach Bowl quarterfinals. Despite the dramatic overtime win, questions linger about Texas’ ability to produce enough points to compete with the Buckeyes’ relentless scoring. As Ohio State and Texas represent the Big Ten and SEC respectively, the stakes are heightened with conference pride on the line, promising a fierce showdown.
Experts weigh in on the matchup, largely favoring Ohio State. Scooby Axson emphasizes the need for Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers to match the Buckeyes’ offensive output, noting that Texas has struggled with consistency and closing games. He predicts Ohio State will win 34-21. Jordan Mendoza highlights Ohio State’s strong starts in games, suggesting that if Texas falls behind early, it will face an uphill battle, projecting a score of 31-20 in favor of the Buckeyes.
Paul Myerberg echoes this sentiment, stating that Texas must deliver an exceptional performance to topple the formidable Ohio State team, predicting a score of 38-27. Erick Smith warns of the potential for an upset due to overconfidence from the Buckeyes, suggesting a close game with a slight edge for Ohio State at 28-24. Lastly, Eddie Timanus and Dan Wolken firmly believe Ohio State’s offensive prowess will be too much for Texas, with Wolken forecasting a decisive victory of 38-17.
With a thrilling clash ahead, fans on both sides can look forward to a rich display of college football talent, as each team vies not only for a championship but also for bragging rights within college athletics. The matchup promises to be not just a game, but a significant event in the college football landscape.