The Ohio State Buckeyes are heading to the national championship game, and it’s their defense that deserves the lion’s share of the credit. In a dominant performance against the Texas Longhorns in the Cotton Bowl, the Buckeyes’ defense suffocated the Texas offense, creating havoc in the trenches and forcing crucial turnovers.
The defensive line was the star of the show, consistently collapsing the pocket and making life miserable for Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers. They didn’t rack up a ton of sacks, but they were constantly in Ewers’ face, disrupting his rhythm and forcing him into rushed throws. Their ability to condense the pocket and take away escape routes was a masterclass in defensive line play.
But it wasn’t just the defensive line that shined. The Buckeyes’ linebackers and defensive backs were flying around the field, making plays and shutting down Texas’s receivers. They delivered two massive fourth-down stops, including one in the red zone that prevented a crucial Texas touchdown.
And who could forget Jack Sawyer’s game-clinching fumble recovery for a touchdown? It was the longest fumble recovery for a touchdown in College Football Playoff history, and it put an exclamation point on a dominant defensive performance.
Ohio State’s defense has been a force all season, and they’re peaking at just the right time. They’re physical, they’re disciplined, and they’re playing with a level of intensity that’s unmatched. If they can continue this level of play in the national championship game, they’ll be tough to beat.
