Texas soccer is without doubt one of the remaining 4 groups left within the School Soccer Playoff for the second consecutive 12 months. A nationwide championship is in sight — however a really sturdy roster stands of their approach.
Texas will face Ohio State within the Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium on Friday as an underdog for the primary time since their win over Alabama in 2023. The Buckeyes have NFL expertise in spades; some can be drafted this 12 months and others are merely ready to change into eligible to show professional.
BUY TICKETS TO WATCH UT AT THE COTTON BOWL
Ohio State quarterback Will Howard is a Kansas State switch who didn’t fare effectively towards Texas within the Massive 12. Nevertheless, the Buckeyes’ receiving core of Jeremiah Smith, Emeka Egbuka and Carnell Tate have allowed the senior to blossom into certainly one of faculty soccer’s greatest throwers. Texas has the Jim Thorpe Award winner in Jahdae Barron with standout safeties Michael Taaffe and Andrew Mukuba, however they have not seen this caliber of weapons.
On the opposite aspect of the ball, quarterback Quinn Ewers must take care of a balanced protection that includes a sturdy line of defense led by JT Tuimoloau and Jack Sawyer. Security Caleb Downs, an Alabama switch, has had an impressive sophomore season whereas main the secondary.
Extra:Texas soccer’s Quinn Ewers vs Ohio State’s Will Howard: which QB will get the sting? | Golden
Texas’ speeding assault was unable to muster a lot towards Arizona State. Working backs Quintrevion Wisner and Jaydon Blue might want to carry their A-game to diversify an offense that leaned closely on Ewers’ arm towards Arizona State.
Listed here are predictions from ESPN, CBS and different retailers for the Cotton Bowl:
Danny Davis: Texas. Each Texas and Ohio State have nice defenses and offensive standouts, so it is a coin flip for me. The Longhorns will shock the world and Vegas oddsmakers. Not by profitable (a No. 5 seed beating a No. 8 seed shouldn’t be an upset), however by making a play on particular groups to safe a visit to the nationwide championship recreation.
David Eckert: Ohio State 31, Texas 24. Ohio State is the extra balanced workforce on this matchup, and that’ll be the rationale the Buckeyes go away Arlington with a victory. Texas has leaned on its dominant protection to compensate for an underperforming and mistake-prone offense and misfiring particular groups unit, however that hasn’t been sufficient in the one two video games the Longhorns have performed towards a workforce with comparable athleticism and dimension.
Caleb Yum: Ohio State 37, Texas 35. Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers carries the offense towards a robust Ohio State protection, but it surely’s not sufficient. The Buckeyes squeeze out an in depth win because the Longhorns’ protection is lastly overwhelmed by a superior roster.
CBS’ employees selected Ohio State because the straight-up winner.
Dennis Dodd: Ohio State
Tom Fornelli: Ohio State
Shehan Jeyarajah: Ohio State
Richard Johnson: Ohio State
Brandon Marcello: Ohio State
Chip Patterson: Ohio State
Jerry Palm: Ohio State
In addition they selected the Buckeyes to cowl the unfold.
Dennis Dodd: Ohio State
Tom Fornelli: Ohio State
Shehan Jeyarajah: Ohio State
Richard Johnson: Ohio State
Brandon Marcello: Ohio State
Chip Patterson: Ohio State
Jerry Palm: Ohio State
ESPN’s School Soccer Energy Index predictor provides Ohio State a 54% probability of beating Texas on Friday. It favors the Buckeyes by 1.3 factors.
Texas vs Ohio State predictions, picks, betting odds
Odds courtesy of Guess MGM as of Wednesday, Jan. 8.
Ohio State is favored by 6 factors.
- Unfold: Ohio State by 6
- Over/underneath: 53½
- Moneyline: Ohio State (-225), Texas (+185)
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