Ohio State -6

[Bowlmania]

Nice break for the Horns to play this game in Arlington. AT&T Stadium is technically a neutral site, but not really. Vivid Seats says Texas will have the crowd advantage (59%). I actually would have guessed a higher percentage for Texas, but that's still an advantage.

The ESPN Predictor (which is of questionable reliability) says Texas has a 50.6% chance of winning, so basically a coin flip.

Ohio State crushed Tennessee and Oregon on their way to tonight's semifinal. Easy pick then, right? Maybe not. Tennessee was a home game for OSU and the Oregon game was played at a legitimately neutral site (the Rose Bowl). Also, there were no surprises for OSU against the Ducks on 1/1. They had played them earlier in the season and gave that game away, so a revenge factor was also in play.

I"ll go with Ohio State to win and cover but, unlike last night's game, something makes me uneasy about this pick.

 

[IUNorth]

Nice break for the Horns to play this game in Arlington. AT&T Stadium is technically a neutral site, but not really. Vivid Seats says Texas will have the crowd advantage (59%). I actually would have guessed a higher percentage for Texas, but that's still an advantage.

The ESPN Predictor (which is of questionable reliability) says Texas has a 50.6% chance of winning, so basically a coin flip.

Ohio State crushed Tennessee and Oregon on their way to tonight's semifinal. Easy pick then, right? Maybe not. Tennessee was a home game for OSU and the Oregon game was played at a legitimately neutral site (the Rose Bowl). Also, there were no surprises for OSU against the Ducks on 1/1. They had played them earlier in the season and gave that game away, so a revenge factor was also in play.

I"ll go with Ohio State to win and cover but, unlike last night's game, something makes me uneasy about this pick.

If the Arizona State game hadn't happened, I'd have a lot more confidence that Texas might be the only team in the country capable of defending OSU straight up...both up front, and in the back end. But it did happen, so I just don't think Texas will be able to stop them enough to hang with them. I think Texas is going to need to turn them over, to have any chance.

Its really, really hard to bring myself to root for OSU. But the B10 having a Natty game participant is important for a various reasons. And I have no reason, at all, to like or root for Texas. So I guess...go OSU! Barf.

 

[turney333]

If the Arizona State game hadn't happened, I'd have a lot more confidence that Texas might be the only team in the country capable of defending OSU straight up...both up front, and in the back end. But it did happen, so I just don't think Texas will be able to stop them enough to hang with them. I think Texas is going to need to turn them over, to have any chance.

Its really, really hard to bring myself to root for OSU. But the B10 having a Natty game participant is important for a various reasons. And I have no reason, at all, to like or root for Texas. So I guess...go OSU! Barf.

At this point, I’m just rooting for the last SEC team playoff (that only got to the semifinals by beating the 2 weakest teams included) to get absolutely humiliated.

 

[ElMeson]

My sister in law (who lives 4 minutes from us) is having a watch party. I need to take pictures and post them. Unbelievable man cave her husband has. My friends and co workers are confident but not cocky about the game. Texas’s offense is hit or miss. I actually like IU’s much better. Ewers is good for an interception. All the talk has been about OSU’s offense and JJ Smith but OSU’s defense is getting no love and has been fantastic all year, except for the first Oregon game. I think the DL gets to Ewers a lot. It will be closer than their first two games but I think OSU scores late to put the game away. 24-10 OSU.

 

[Tammany Hall]

OSU has the most talent in the country and they're clicking. Ewers stinks, I don't see how TX can keep up. I tend to think a 60/40 crowd edge doesn't make much difference. I'd guess OSU wins by 10+.

I strongly dislike OSU, but they have a better chance to beat ND, and I prefer the B1G beating the SEC. And it's not like TX is likable.

Assuming OSU/ND happens, I'll be cheering for OSU (ugh), it's just another title for them. It would mean way more to ND, and I don't want to see them snap their 36 year streak.

 

[td75]

I think Texas is far more likeable than Ohio State or ND. That said, Ohio State should thump Texas and then thump ND.

I hope next year's playoff is different in the sense that an Indiana makes it past the first round. Bluebloods do nothing for me, be it college football or college basketball.

 

[daddyhoosier]

Probably the two most talented teams in 2024-25. I still think Ohio State's best is better than anyone but until Day gets it done there will be the seed of doubt. That said:

Bucknuts 38
Horns 31