Watching Ohio State steamroll via the Faculty Soccer Playoff makes you marvel if Ryan Day is Emperor Palpatine from “Return of the Jedi.” After seeing Ohio State bumble its strategy to a very confounding residence loss to Michigan, the Buckeyes have rebuilt their loss of life star and now we’re all witnessing the firepower of a completely armed and operational battle station. After utter demolitions of Tennessee and Oregon, Ohio State opened as a transparent favourite in opposition to Texas for the semifinal.
How you can watch Texas vs. Ohio State
The Buckeyes beat Tennessee 42-17 within the first spherical and led 21-0 inside the primary 12 minutes of the sport, however that sport was in Columbus, and Tennessee had proven some flaws all through the season. What Ohio State did to beforehand undefeated Oregon within the Rose Bowl was actually jarring. The Buckeyes led 34-0 within the first half in opposition to a group they misplaced to earlier this season, which ends up in the query: Simply how totally different is that this Ohio State group from what it was earlier within the season?
Texas will discover out and hope to keep away from the early knockout blows Ohio State has delivered in each Playoff video games. The Longhorns have additionally gotten off to massive first-half leads in each Playoff video games however have had a lot nearer wins. Texas noticed Clemson and Arizona State rating first earlier than the Longhorns constructed multiple-score leads by halftime. The Solar Devils got here again from 16 factors down within the fourth quarter to pressure extra time finally and had Texas one play away from shedding.
Ohio State entered the season with arguably the most effective roster on paper. For the final two video games, when it has mattered most, it has lastly appeared like that.
Texas’ protection has been higher than Oregon’s all through the season, however Ohio State additionally sliced via Tennessee’s elite protection. Plus, the Longhorns simply received outgained 510-375 by ASU. Texas hadn’t allowed even 400 yards to an opponent earlier than that sport.
It’s arduous to not speak about Ohio State’s offense after what it has completed within the final two video games. Jeremiah Smith has appeared like an NFL receiver enjoying in opposition to school gamers (and also you’re most likely sick of listening to that he’s nonetheless solely a freshman). That stated, these have been the 2 best-scoring defenses within the nation earlier than the quarterfinals. That’s why the purpose complete is a modest 54.5.
These two prestigious packages have met 3 times, all coming within the final 20 years. They break up a home-and-home sequence in 2005 and 2006, with the street group successful each occasions, and Texas gained the 2009 Fiesta Bowl, 24-21.
It is a fast return to the Cotton Bowl for Ohio State, which misplaced to Missouri in final season’s version. The stakes are extraordinarily totally different this time round. That sport was a New Yr’s Six bowl (an idea that disappeared with the Playoff increasing to 12 groups), and it is a nationwide semifinal, however the venue and the secret are the identical.
The unfold opened at 4.5 and it jumped two factors shortly.
Texas vs. Ohio State odds
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(Photograph of Jeremiah Smith: Sean M. Haffey / Getty Photographs)
