Texas Football Eyes Home Advantage Against Ohio State in College Football Playoff
As the Texas Longhorns prepare for their semifinal matchup against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the 2025 College Football Playoff (CFP), the team finds itself in a familiar and somewhat comforting position: a game within the state of Texas, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington. The Cotton Bowl has long been a fixture in the college football landscape, and this year, it holds particular significance for Texas (12-2) as they aim to secure a spot in the national championship game.
With Bevo, the Longhorns’ iconic live mascot, expected to be in attendance, there’s an undeniable sense of home-field advantage that could provide the team with a significant boost. But the reality is that Texas will be facing a formidable opponent in Ohio State (13-2), a team with one of the nation’s most potent offenses. Still, Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian is optimistic that the unique circumstances of playing in the Lone Star State will give his team the edge they need in this pivotal game.
“We’re going to need our fans,” Sarkisian said leading up to the game. “We’re going to need our fans’ support. I need Longhorn nation to show out in Arlington. We’re going to need everything we’ve got to try to win this game. Clearly, we’re massive underdogs. Nobody’s going to give us a shot. So we’re going to need all that we can to try to win this game.”
Indeed, the Longhorns are entering the game as underdogs, but that doesn’t mean they don’t have a shot at victory. Here’s why Texas could pull off the upset against Ohio State.
Texas’ Balanced Offensive Attack
One of the key factors that could tilt the game in Texas’ favor is their balanced offensive attack. Quinn Ewers, the team’s quarterback, has been outstanding throughout the season, showing the ability to make every throw necessary to move the ball down the field. The Longhorns have ranked 8th in SP+ offensively, relying on a strong running game and explosive plays in the passing game.
Ewers has been extremely efficient this season, completing over 70% of his passes for 3,215 yards, 26 touchdowns, and 7 interceptions. His connection with Xavier Worthy, one of the nation’s top wide receivers, has been particularly deadly. Worthy’s ability to stretch the field and make plays on deep routes gives Texas an edge in their ability to make big plays against Ohio State’s defense.
However, Texas’ offense isn’t just reliant on the pass. Bijan Robinson, one of the top running backs in the country, will be crucial to the Longhorns’ success. Texas ranks 13th in rushing success rate and has one of the top offensive lines in college football, led by Cole Hutson and DJ Campbell. The ability to run the ball with efficiency will be vital, especially if Texas wants to control the clock and keep Ohio State’s offense off the field.
For Texas to win, they must not only have a productive passing attack but also establish a strong running game to control the tempo of the game. Sarkisian’s offensive scheme has been built to exploit mismatches, and the Longhorns have the personnel to do so.
The Defensive Strengths of Texas
While Texas’ offense has garnered much of the attention this season, their defense has quietly been one of the most improved units in college football. Texas ranks 13th in overall defensive SP+ and has shown the ability to make timely stops when it counts.
The Longhorns’ defense has been particularly strong against the pass, ranking 7th in pass defense and 4th in interception rate. This will be critical in slowing down Ohio State’s explosive passing attack, led by quarterback Will Howard.
Howard, a fifth-year senior, has been exceptional for Ohio State this season. He leads the Big Ten with 32 passing touchdowns and has thrown for 3,490 yards while completing 72.6% of his passes. However, his history against Texas has been less than stellar. Howard has faced the Longhorns three times during his career at Kansas State, with Texas coming out victorious in all three matchups. In the 2020 meeting, Texas shut down Howard and the Wildcats, forcing multiple turnovers. In 2021 and 2023, the Longhorns won by narrow margins, but Howard’s individual performances were underwhelming, including a turnover-heavy 2020 performance where he failed to throw for 100 yards in 2021.
In those games, the Texas defense did a great job of putting pressure on Howard and forcing him into uncomfortable situations. Texas’ ability to pressure quarterbacks is a key part of their defense, ranking 9th in the nation with a 9.8% sack rate. Expect Tavondre Sweat, Byron Murphy, and the rest of the Texas defensive line to come after Howard early and often, trying to disrupt Ohio State’s passing game.
The Longhorns’ secondary, led by Jerrin Thompson and Ryan Watts, has been solid all season. With the ability to lock down wide receivers in one-on-one situations, Texas can force Howard into making quicker decisions and potentially make some mistakes. If the Longhorns’ defense can limit the big plays and keep the Buckeyes from finding a rhythm in the passing game, they will have a much better chance of hanging with Ohio State’s explosive offense.
Texas Has Experience Against Big-Time Opponents
One thing that the Longhorns have going for them is their experience against top-tier opponents. Texas has faced several ranked teams this season, including games against Alabama, Kansas State, and Baylor. While they lost to Alabama in a narrow 22-19 defeat in Tuscaloosa, the Longhorns showed that they can compete against one of the nation’s elite programs. They also handed Kansas State a blowout loss, 41-20, a game in which Ewers and the offense exploded for over 400 yards.
Furthermore, Texas has shown an ability to rise to the occasion when facing tough competition. Sarkisian has proven he can make the necessary in-game adjustments and put his team in the best position to succeed. With a full roster that is healthy heading into this game, Texas will have the confidence and experience to handle the magnitude of a College Football Playoff semifinal, especially with the added motivation of playing close to home in Arlington.
Special Teams and Bevo’s Presence
The presence of Bevo, Texas’ live Longhorn mascot, adds to the excitement surrounding the game. The fans in Arlington are expected to show up in droves, creating a true home-field advantage for the Longhorns. Sarkisian emphasized the importance of fan support, and with Texas’ passionate fan base traveling well within the state, the atmosphere at AT&T Stadium could be a huge factor. Special teams also become critical in a game like this, and the Longhorns have shown they can make big plays in both the kicking game and on coverage units.
Can Texas Pull Off the Upset?
While Texas is a 13-point underdog heading into the matchup, there are several factors that could contribute to a victory. From a potent offensive attack with Quinn Ewers and Bijan Robinson to a defense that has consistently improved throughout the season, Texas is more than capable of challenging Ohio State. If they can execute a well-rounded game plan and use their home-field advantage to fuel their performance, the Longhorns have a real shot at advancing to the national championship game.
Ultimately, it will come down to whether Texas can limit the explosive plays from Ohio State’s offense and execute their own game plan effectively. If they can do that, and with the full backing of Longhorn nation, Texas could pull off one of the biggest upsets in recent College Football Playoff history.
Conclusion
This semifinal game is shaping up to be a classic showdown between two powerhouse programs, and Texas has the potential to surprise Ohio State. With the game being played in Texas, the Longhorns have a unique opportunity to seize momentum and make their case as one of the best teams in the country. The Longhorns are ready for the challenge, and with the support of their fans, they just might find a way to pull off the upset.
