After beating previously undefeated Oregon in the Rose Bowl, Ohio State might be the favorite to win the College Football Playoff.
The Buckeyes (12-2) will take on Texas in the College Football Playoff semifinal at the Cotton Bowl on Friday night. On paper, it’s an electric matchup. ESPN’s Rece Davis, the longtime College GameDay host, thinks the Longhorns are the one team still standing that can give Ohio State its toughest remaining test.
Davis said as much on the “College GameDay” podcast Monday afternoon.
“If there is one team left in the field that has the talent to stand in there toe-to-toe against the Buckeyes – that they have the defensive backs that can challenge those receivers, that they have the defensive line that can make things tough on the running game and for Will Howard when he passes, that they have the weapons to challenge that great Ohio State defense – it’s Texas,” he said.
Despite his belief that the Longhorns could put a scare in the Buckeyes, Davis picked Ohio State to win and play Notre Dame for the national title on Jan. 20.
“I’m picking Ohio State also, but I think Texas will have a little more success on offense. I’m gonna say that Ohio State wins the game 35-28.” Davis said “So I got Ohio State and Notre Dame in the national championship game.”
Davis is not the only pundit who is bullish on the Buckeyes.
Urban Meyer, who coached Ohio State to its most recent national championship victory 10 years ago, said if OSU plays the way its capable, it will win it all.
“If Team-A shows up, this will be a wrap. Ohio State will lift the gold trophy,” Meyer said on “The Triple Option” podcast Monday. “If the best roster in the country plays like the best roster in the country, they’ll be national champs in a few weeks.”
Ohio State and Texas will kick off in the Cotton Bowl from AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas at 7:30 p.m. ET Friday on ESPN.
[ Athlon Sports ]
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