Here are five things we learned from the Ohio State Buckeyes’ 28-14 victory over Texas.
The Ohio State Buckeyes can handle being front-runners.
The expectations around the Buckeyes have shifted during the last month.
After losing to Michigan at the end of the regular season, they approached the postseason in a state of uncertainty.
However, victories over Tennessee and Oregon reinstated the Buckeyes as the team to beat in the playoffs, casting a bull’s-eye on them as they went farther in the bracket.
They did not wither under the increasing pressure. Despite missing opportunities to increase their lead against the Longhorns following another strong start, they never trailed and were resilient.
Texas twice tied the game in the second and third halves before Ohio State replied.
With a deep roster, the Buckeyes began the season as one of the favorites to win it all. However, they never quite realized those expectations throughout the regular season, and it was unclear whether they would be able to meet them when they returned in January. They proved capable as they advanced to the final.
Jim Knowles’ Ohio State defense found salvation.
If there has been one critique on Ohio State’s top ranked defenses since Jim Knowles took over as coordinator in 2022, it has been a drop-off in the fourth quarter.
They collapsed late in defeats.
When they lost to Georgia in the quarterfinals two years ago, they blew a 14-point lead, giving up two touchdowns in the final nine minutes.
The defense couldn’t get off the field in Ohio State’s tight loss to Michigan last season, which kept them out of the playoffs. The Wolverines proceeded on a seven-minute field goal drive until the milk clock.
However, the defensive side of the ball delivered versus Texas with a crucial goal-line stand that clinched the victory.
With just under four minutes remaining, the Longhorns had reached the 1-yard line and needed only a touchdown to tie the game at 21. But the Buckeyes never let them pass the goal line, a series that concluded in a strip sack by defensive end Jack Sawyer, which he returned 83 yards for a score.
Ohio State faces expensive penalties.
The Buckeyes have been disciplined this season.
Before the semifinals, just five Football Bowl Subdivision teams had averaged less penalties per game.
However, flags hampered a succession of drives in the first half, preventing the Buckeyes from capitalizing on early momentum.
Ohio State committed a penalty of 10 yards or more on three consecutive drives, putting it behind schedule and forcing punts.
“We were stopping ourselves,” coach Ryan Day explained.
The first penalty was very costly. After going down at Texas’ 37-yard line late in the first quarter, running back TreVeyon Henderson stood up and smacked defensive lineman Alex January’s facemask, earning him a 15-yard penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct.
Instead of moving into field-goal range, the Buckeyes faced second-and-24 from their 48-yard line, and the drive quickly stalled, denying them a chance to extend a two-score lead.
Their nine penalties, totaling 75 yards, were season highs.
