How to watch, predictions, and odds for Texas vs. Ohio State’s College Football Playoff semifinal at Cotton Bowl
As you watch Ohio State dominate the College Football Playoffs, you can’t help but wonder whether Ryan Day is “Return of the Jedi” Emperor Palpatine. The Buckeyes have rebuilt their death star after watching Ohio State stumble to a genuinely perplexing home loss to Michigan, and now we are all able to view the firepower of a fully equipped and functional combat station. Ohio State began as a definite favorite versus Texas for the semifinals after completely destroying Tennessee and Oregon.
Although Tennessee had displayed some weaknesses throughout the season, the Buckeyes defeated them 42-17 in the opening round and led 21-0 after the first 12 minutes of play. It was shocking what Ohio State did to Oregon, who had been unbeaten, in the Rose Bowl. The question is, “How different is this Ohio State team from what it was earlier in the season?” because the Buckeyes led 34-0 in the first half against a team they lost to earlier in the season.
In both of their playoff meetings, Ohio State has dealt early knockout blows, which Texas will learn about and try to avoid. Both of the Longhorns’ playoff games began with significant first-half leads, but their victories were much tighter. After Clemson and Arizona State scored the first goals in Texas, the Longhorns took a multi-point advantage at the break. The Sun Devils rallied from a 16-point deficit in the fourth quarter to eventually force overtime and put Texas within one play of defeat.
On paper, Ohio State had maybe the finest roster going into the season. It has finally appeared that way for the last two games, when it has meant most.
Throughout the season, Texas’ defense has outperformed Oregon’s, but Ohio State also easily defeated Tennessee’s top defense. Additionally, ASU recently outscored the Longhorns 510-375. Prior to the game, Texas had not given up 400 yards to an opponent.
After what Ohio State’s offense has done in the last two games, it’s difficult to avoid discussing it. When playing against collegiate guys, Jeremiah Smith has looked like an NFL receiver (and you’re probably tired of hearing that he’s still only a freshman). Nevertheless, before to the quarterfinals, these two defenses led the nation in scoring. The point total is a modest 54.5 as a result.
The last 20 years have seen three meetings between these two esteemed programs. Texas won the 2009 Fiesta Bowl 24–21, and they split a home-and-home series in 2005 and 2006, with the road side winning each occasions.
Ohio State, who lost to Missouri in the previous season’s Cotton Bowl, is making a swift comeback. This time around, the stakes are very different. This is a national semifinal, but the location and game name are the same. That game was a New Year’s Six bowl, a concept that vanished when the playoffs expanded to 12 teams.
The spread rapidly increased by two points from its opening price of 4.5.
Pick: -6.5 for Ohio State
Have you noticed how unbeatable Ohio State has seemed lately? Perhaps this is an exaggerated response to their last two games. In the meantime, Arizona State just gained 510 yards from Texas. Right now, I’m not picking against Ohio State.
Ohio State vs. Texas odds
| Team | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
|
-6.5
|
O 54.5
|
-210
|
|
|
6.5
|
U 54.5
|
+175
|
Ohio State
How to watch Ohio State vs. Texas
Venue: Arlington, Texas’s AT&T Stadium
Time: 7:30 p.m. on Friday, January 10. ET TV: ESPN Fubo streaming (free trial available)
Observing live? Purchase tickets using StubHub.
