Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian took a respectful approach when discussing the Ohio State Buckeyes ahead of their College Football Playoff semifinal clash. Speaking to reporters on Friday, Sarkisian avoided giving the Buckeyes any bulletin board material.
“I need Longhorn Nation to pack Arlington,” Sarkisian said, according to ESPN’s Dave Wilson. “We’re going to need everything we’ve got to try to win this game. Clearly, we’re heavy underdogs. Nobody expects us to pull this off. … This is the best team in college football, and we’ll have to bring our absolute best to have a shot at winning.”
Sarkisian also highlighted the challenge Texas faces in containing Ohio State’s standout wide receivers, Jeremiah Smith and Emeka Egbuka.
“They’re both big, physical players,” Sarkisian said of Ohio State’s wide receivers. “They have length, speed, and exceptional playmaking ability. Their catch radius is enormous. Add that to the scheme designed by Coach [Chip] Kelly and Coach [Ryan] Day, and a quarterback who delivers the ball with precision. All of that makes them incredibly impactful players, and it’s going to be a real challenge for us to defend against them.”
Sarkisian’s assessment is spot-on.
Ohio State has finally reached the dominant level fans anticipated all season. They boast depth and skill across every position, with their wide receiver corps presenting a unique challenge for any defense. Quarterback Will Howard has elevated his game, delivering in the passing attack while adding a dual-threat capability that complicates defensive schemes further.
Defensively, the Buckeyes are relentless, disciplined, and aggressive, with no glaring weaknesses. They’re playing their best football of the season, and Sarkisian wisely avoided giving them any extra fuel after their recent performances. Ohio State thrives when motivated, and the Longhorns don’t want to face a fired-up Buckeyes squad.
Sure, Sarkisian is employing the classic “nobody believes in us” narrative—a common motivational tactic in sports. But clichés exist for a reason, and in this case, it rings true.
Few outside the Texas locker room will believe in the Longhorns, and given how both teams have performed recently, that skepticism feels justified.
Leave a Reply