An Ohio State Buckeyes fan's worst nightmare will soon rank among the best things to ever happen to the team.
A crushing loss at home to Michigan in the regular season finale brought out the best in the nation's most talented team, with Ohio State demolishing Tennessee and a top-10 defense 42-17 before going on to defeat No. It humiliated Oregon State. Scored the first 34 points of the Rose Bowl.
The Buckeyes won't win every game in the playoffs by losing, but they won't produce new players either. If Jeremiah Smith, a star freshman wide receiver with 290 receiving yards and four touchdowns in the second round, gets one coverage, the entire Texas coaching staff should be fired before leaving the Cotton Bowl.
If Smith doubles, Will Howard, who has the nation's fourth-highest completion percentage (72.6), could find first-round projected wideout Emeka Egbuka or average nearly 10 yards per carry in the playoffs. He will likely hand it to Trevellon Henderson, who has acquired the. , thanks to a vast improvement in Ohio State's offensive line.
The Buckeyes' top-ranked defense will have even more fun in this matchup, as they will be facing an offense that has scored two or more touchdowns in just two of the last five games.
The Longhorns failed in their only game against a top-10 team. In the playoffs, Texas needed 4-13 goals to shake off No. 12 Arizona State after struggling to defeat No. 16 Clemson at home.
The heightened emotions in this matchup won't help former Buckeye Quinn Ewers, who has thrown five interceptions in the last four games and has 12 sacks in two playoff games facing a defensive front. Dew.
Do you bet on college football?
Ohio State hasn't lost three games in a season in the last 13 years. The loss to Michigan will end this season's winning streak.
Pick: Ohio State -6 (-105, Caesars Sportsbook)
