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“I would just say that we – as an offense, the running back room, the tight end room, the O-line room – we know what we’re capable of and what we’ve put on film is not our best,” Texas center Jake Majors said. “We understand that there are high expectations and we’ve got to meet those expectations.
“We were frustrated, but at the end of the day, we were able to win. But what we did wasn’t good enough to our standard. That next day, we were all walking around with a chip on our shoulder, ready to get back to work and get this run game going.”
Sarkisian has said his team has yet to play its best game of the year. Is Texas capable of doing so against a Buckeyes team that’s gelling and performing at an elite level? Friday night at the Cotton Bowl will serve as a marker for Texas and its trajectory, especially after losing in last year’s CFP semifinal round, albeit in a four-team playoff format. Ohio State is playing really good football right now and if we want a chance, we’ve got to match that and exceed that,” Majors said. “So, we’ve got to put our best foot forward and come out swinging and come out fast.”
Laken Litman covers college football, college basketball and soccer for FOX Sports. She previously wrote for Sports Illustrated, USA Today and The Indianapolis Star. She is the author of “Strong Like a Woman,” published in spring 2022 to mark the 50th anniversary of Title IX. Follow her at @LakenLitman
.better and better. Call it what it is. Last time we played [Oregon], we fell short, but here we are … we’re able to see who upgraded more. It looked like it was the Buckeyes. And so the goal is to continue to upgrade every single week, and then you’ll look back and see how far along you’ve come.”
Texas has the talent, depth and ability to combat Ohio State’s strengths. So, how do they execute that plan?
1. The Longhorns have to end quality drives with touchdowns. They’re scoring TDs in the red zone just 64% of the time, while Ohio State is doing it on 76% of its trips inside the 20. This is especially relevant coming out of halftime where Texas has been outscored 60-16 in the third quarter over the last eight games.
2. The Longhorns can’t turn the ball over. Entering this semifinal, Texas ranked 126th nationally with 24 turnovers this season – only six FBS teams have more. Quinn Ewers is known for his calm and steady demeanor, but he’s thrown 11 interceptions this season, five of which have come in the last four games. On the flip side, Texas has forced the second-most turnovers in the country with 30 (only Notre Dame has more with 31).
3. The Longhorns can’t miss crucial field goals. Kicker Bert Auburn, who has climbed his way into the Texas record books and has made the most field goals in a single season in program history, has been struggling lately. In the Peach Bowl, he missed two go-ahead field goals, and he missed one in the SEC Championship game.
4. The Longhorns need to establish themselves early on the offensive line. Ohio State’s defense has 12 sacks in the last two games, including eight vs. Oregon. The Longhorns have given up 33 sacks this season, while the Buckeyes have allowed 12. The unit is expected to be back at full strength after starting right tackle Cam Williams missed the last game with an injury, which should aid what’s been an inconsistent run game. After rushing for 292 yards against Clemson, Texas mustered just 53 yards on the ground against Arizona State’s smaller defensive front.
