In the upcoming Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic, the Texas Longhorns, who have commanded favoritism in their prior College Football Playoff games, find themselves in uncharted territory. For the first time this season, they’re stepping onto the field as six-point underdogs against a formidable Ohio State Buckeyes team. It’s a scenario that highlights just how red-hot the Buckeyes are right now, having dominated both the Tennessee Volunteers and the top-seeded Oregon Ducks with impressive victories. Meanwhile, the Longhorns’ path included a nail-biting double-overtime win against the Arizona State Sun Devils.
Head Coach Steve Sarkisian is embracing this underdog status and turning it into a rallying cry. As the Longhorns prepare for this semifinal clash, Sarkisian is urging the fans to create an electric atmosphere in Dallas. “Now to be in the semis and play in the Cotton Bowl in Dallas is huge,” Sarkisian asserted. “We’re going to need our fans. I need Longhorn Nation to show out in Arlington. We’re going to need everything we’ve got to try to win this game.”
Considering Texas is just a short drive away, compared to the long journey for Ohio State’s fans, a strong Texas turnout is expected. The Longhorns boast one of the largest fanbases in college football, and those who make the trip will be loud and proud, looking to shift the dynamics in their team’s favor.
Underestimating the Longhorns would be a mistake. They have no intentions of cutting their journey short and are ready for an intense showdown. Sarkisian encapsulated the team’s mindset, saying, “The journey is not done; the mission is not complete. It’s still a driving force behind what we do every day. Why we wake up so early. Why we stay so late. Why our players are coming in on an off day when we’re asking them not to be here, and they’re in here watching tape, stretching, striding, getting rehab.”
The Longhorns are feeding off this adversity, reminding themselves that nothing in football is guaranteed—not performance, not victories, not even the next game. It’s this determination that they hope will translate into an inspired performance on the field.
Stay tuned for more as this clash promises to be a stellar addition to college football lore.
