In the wake of the Ohio State Buckeyes’ commanding 41-21 victory over the Oregon Ducks at the Rose Bowl, the team is now gearing up for another high-stakes clash, this time against the Texas Longhorns in the Cotton Bowl. Head coach Ryan Day and his squad are riding a wave of momentum, but they’re keenly aware that their recent success won’t mean much if they lose focus now.
Day emphasized the importance of sticking to their process as they prepare for their showdown with Texas, reminding both fans and players that belief and hype shouldn’t distract from relentless preparation. It’s clear Day is determined to keep his players’ heads in the game, despite the outside noise growing around their success. “Just a couple of weeks ago, I don’t think too many people believed in this team. Now, the sentiment is changing. That can’t affect how we go to work every day. It has nothing to do with how we prepare in this game. We’ve got to stay focused on our process and continue to do what we’ve been doing the past couple of weeks,” Day stated.
After a tough loss to the Michigan Wolverines at the end of the regular season, Ohio State turned the tides in the College Football Playoff with impressive victories, outpacing their opponents by a combined score of 83-38 in the first two games. A lot of that success can be credited to quarterback Will Howard. The veteran QB has been firing on all cylinders, consistently delivering over 300 passing yards and multiple touchdowns per game. His elite play has been a linchpin in Ohio State’s offensive arsenal.
Looking ahead, the Buckeyes’ defense, which has been a fortress against the run, allowing just 92.2 rushing yards per game under defensive coordinator Jim Knowles, will aim to exploit the Longhorns’ recent challenges in the ground game. Despite these struggles, Ryan Day expressed admiration for the talent present in Texas’ offensive lineup and had nothing but respect for Longhorns’ head coach Steve Sarkisian’s strategic approach.
Texas, on the other hand, has had its fair share of adversity, headlined by the unfortunate injury of star running back C.J. Baxter, who was sidelined for the season with a knee injury before the first snap. In his absence, sophomore Quintrevion Wisner has been tasked with filling those big shoes, leading a rushing attack that will face its toughest test yet against Ohio State’s stout defense.
As the Cotton Bowl approaches, the stage is set for another epic college football matchup, with both teams bringing their unique strengths and determined undercurrents into what promises to be an exhilarating contest.
