The college football world is abuzz as the playoff picture comes into focus, and one team is drawing high praise from an unlikely source. Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian didn’t mince words when discussing his team’s upcoming opponent in the College Football Playoff semifinal at the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic, boldly proclaiming the Ohio State Buckeyes as “the best team in college football.”
Sarkisian Sounds the Alarm
In a media session on Friday, Sarkisian made it abundantly clear that his Longhorns will have their work cut out for them when they take the field against Ohio State on January 10th at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The second-year Texas coach didn’t shy away from heaping praise on the Buckeyes, acknowledging the immense challenge that lies ahead.
I need Longhorn Nation to show out in Arlington. We’re going to need everything we’ve got to try to win this game. Clearly, we’re massive underdogs. Nobody’s going to give us a shot. … This is the best team in college football, and we’re going to have to make sure that we put our best forward to give ourselves a chance to win the game.
– Steve Sarkisian, Texas Longhorns head coach
Sarkisian’s comments underscore the daunting task facing Texas as they prepare to clash with an Ohio State squad that has been a juggernaut all season long. The Buckeyes enter the playoff as the No. 2 seed, having spent the majority of the year firmly entrenched in the top two spots of the CFP rankings.
Buckeyes Flex Offensive Muscle
Ohio State’s offensive prowess has been on full display throughout the 2024 campaign, and their recent 41-21 dismantling of Oregon in the Rose Bowl only further solidified their status as a force to be reckoned with. The Buckeyes raced out to a commanding 34-0 lead in the first half, showcasing the explosive firepower that has made them a nightmare for opposing defenses all year long.
Sarkisian specifically highlighted the challenge posed by Ohio State’s dynamic receiving duo of Jeremiah Smith and Emeka Egbuka, labeling them as “big physical players” with “length, speed, and playmaking ability.” The Texas coach acknowledged the difficulty his team will face in attempting to contain the Buckeye pass-catchers.
They’ve got the scheme to go with it, with Coach Kelly and Coach Day, and they’ve got a quarterback who delivers on the ball. So you add all that up, these guys are impactful players that are real issues and we’re going to have a hard time guarding ’em.
– Steve Sarkisian on Ohio State’s offensive weapons
Familiar Faces at Quarterback
Adding an intriguing layer to the playoff matchup is the fact that both teams will be squaring off against familiar faces at the quarterback position. Texas signal-caller Quinn Ewers began his collegiate career at Ohio State before transferring to Austin, while Buckeye quarterback Will Howard previously faced the Longhorns during his time at Kansas State.
Sarkisian praised Howard’s dual-threat abilities, noting his “great poise and composure in the pocket” and his knack for making plays with both his arm and his legs. The Longhorn coach even referenced a long touchdown run Howard uncorked against Texas during his Wildcat days.
On the flip side, Ohio State head coach Ryan Day spoke highly of Ewers, who he had initially recruited to Columbus as an eighth-grader. Day commended Ewers’ growth and success at Texas while emphasizing the positive relationships that still exist between the Buckeye program and their former quarterback.
Longhorns Embrace Underdog Role
As the last remaining SEC team in the playoff field, Texas carries the banner of their new conference into this heavyweight bout against the Big Ten champions. Sarkisian believes the weekly grind of SEC play has battle-tested his squad and prepared them for the challenges of the postseason.
To be here on this stage to be back in the final four wearing that SEC patch on our jersey, we’re going to do our best to represent it because this is a heck of a conference.
– Steve Sarkisian on Texas representing the SEC
While Sarkisian acknowledges the toll that navigating the SEC gauntlet can take on a team, he also views it as a badge of honor and a testament to the resiliency of his Longhorns. Texas will undoubtedly lean on that toughness as they attempt to spring the upset against an Ohio State team that has looked virtually unstoppable at times this season.
The Stage is Set
With the Cotton Bowl now less than a week away, the anticipation is reaching a fever pitch. The clash between Texas and Ohio State represents a fascinating contrast of styles, pitting the Longhorns’ stingy defense against the Buckeyes’ high-octane attack. It’s a classic case of an immovable object meeting an unstoppable force, and something has to give.
For Steve Sarkisian and his Texas squad, the opportunity to knock off the presumptive title favorite is the type of challenge that competitors dream of. As heavy underdogs, the Longhorns enter this showdown with nothing to lose and everything to gain. They’ll need a flawless effort and likely a few breaks to go their way, but Sarkisian remains steadfast in his belief.
We’re going to have to make sure that we put our best forward to give ourselves a chance to win the game.
– Steve Sarkisian on Texas’ mentality entering the playoff
The eyes of the college football world will be fixed squarely on AT&T Stadium come January 10th. Will Ohio State validate their coach’s lofty praise and prove Sarkisian prophetic? Or can the Longhorns channel their inner underdog and shock the nation? The answers will reveal themselves under the bright lights of Arlington, as two storied programs collide with a berth in the national championship game on the line. Buckle up, because this has all the makings of an instant classic.
