Arlington, Texas — The College Football Playoff has reached its final four, and Texas will face Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl tonight, with a spot in the national championship game on the line.
Texas earned its place in the semifinals by defeating ACC champion Clemson and Big 12 champion Arizona State. Ohio State, meanwhile, advanced after beating Tennessee and Big Ten champion Oregon. Both teams have had challenging paths to this point, but the showdown at AT&T Stadium promises to be a battle of two strong defenses.
Ohio State, the lowest seed remaining, is considered by many to be the hottest team in college football. The Buckeyes’ offense is led by star wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, who has been pivotal in their playoff wins. Smith has posted 13 catches for 290 yards and four touchdowns in two games. If Ohio State’s offense gets rolling against Texas, it could spell trouble for the Longhorns.
Texas’ defense will need to step up after a tough second half against Arizona State, where they had trouble containing standout running back Cameron Skattebo. Ohio State brings a full roster of playmakers, and stopping the Buckeyes’ offense will be a formidable challenge for the Longhorns.
Texas will look to former Ohio State quarterback Quinn Ewers to lead the offense in the Cotton Bowl. Ewers has shown flashes of brilliance this season but has also been inconsistent, throwing five interceptions over the past four games. He’ll face a tough Ohio State defense that has registered 12 sacks in two playoff games, so protection up front will be crucial for his success. The Longhorns will need to establish a running game, something they struggled with against Arizona State, where they leaned too heavily on Ewers’ arm. Look for running back Quintrevion Wisner to step up and help open up the offense against the Buckeyes’ defense.
Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. CST at AT&T Stadium.
