The worst nightmare of any Ohio State Buckeyes fan will quickly rank among the many greatest issues ever to occur to the group.
The beautiful house loss to Michigan within the regular-season finale has introduced out the very best in essentially the most proficient group within the nation, permitting Ohio State to dismantle Tennessee and its top-10 protection, 42-17, earlier than embarrassing No. 1 Oregon by scoring the primary 34 factors of the Rose Bowl.
The Buckeyes won’t win each playoff recreation in a blowout, however they’re not going to put one other egg. If star freshman vast receiver Jeremiah Smith — who has 290 receiving yards and 4 touchdowns by means of two rounds — receives single protection, Texas’ complete teaching employees ought to be fired earlier than leaving the Cotton Bowl.
If Smith is doubled, Will Howard will take benefit — boasting the fourth-best completion share within the nation (72.6) — discovering projected first-round wideout Emeka Egbuka or handing to TreVeyon Henderson, who’s averaging almost 10 yards per carry within the playoff, because of important enchancment from Ohio State’s offensive line.
The Buckeyes’ top-ranked protection will take pleasure in this matchup much more, dealing with an offense that has scored greater than two (regulation) touchdowns in simply two of its previous 5 video games.
The Longhorns failed of their solely video games in opposition to a top-10 group. Within the playoff, Texas wanted a fourth-and-13 completion to squeak previous No. 12 Arizona State after struggling to place away No. 16 Clemson at house.
The improved feelings of the matchup gained’t profit former Buckeye Quinn Ewers, who has thrown 5 interceptions previously 4 video games and faces a defensive entrance with 12 sacks in two playoff video games.
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Ohio State hasn’t misplaced three video games in a season in 13 years. The loss to Michigan will make sure the streak doesn’t finish this season.
The decide: Ohio State -6 (-105, Caesars Sportsbook)
