Five reasons Texas HC Steve Sarkisian’s bold statement about Ohio State is spot-on

Ahead of Texas’ showdown against eighth-seeded Ohio State in the College Football Playoff semifinal at the Cotton Bowl on Jan. 10, Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian offered high praise for the Buckeyes.

According to ESPN’s Dave Wilson, Sarkisian said, “This is the best team in college football, and we’re going to have to make sure that we put our best forward to give ourselves a chance to win the game.”

After Ohio State dismantled ninth-seeded Tennessee, 42-17, and No. 1 seed Oregon, 41-21, to reach the CFP semifinal, it is hard to argue with Sarkisian.

Here are five reasons Sarkisian was right with his praise for the Buckeyes:

WR Jeremiah Smith’s sensational freshman season

With 103 yards and two TDs against Tennessee and 187 yards and a pair of TDs vs. Oregon, Smith has 1,224 receiving yards and 15 TDs (one rushing) this season. His 14 receiving TDs are tied for third in the nation, per TeamRankings.

Smith has posted at least 80 receiving yards nine times, so slowing him down is going to be difficult for Texas despite its third-best defense (14.5 PPG) in the country.

The Buckeyes’ FBS-leading defense

Allowing only 12.1 PPG, Ohio State has the nation’s best defense, per TeamRankings. Since the Buckeyes’ first loss of the season to Oregon on Oct. 12, Ohio State has not allowed more than 21 points.

Ohio State held the No. 1 Ducks scoreless for nearly the entire first half in its dominant Rose Bowl performance.

Texas is going to need big performances from Matthew Golden (936 yards, nine TDs), Gunnar Helm (744 yards, seven TDs) and Isaiah Bond (532 yards, five TDs) down the field if the Longhorns are going to hang with the Buckeyes.

QB Will Howard’s efficiency

Howard has completed at least 80% of his passes in seven games this season. In the two CFP games so far, Howard is 41-of-55 for 630 yards with five TDs and only one interception.

Howard’s QBR (87.2) is second in the country. Texas must find a way to generate pressure on Howard to keep him from getting comfortable in the pocket.

If that does not happen, expect much of the same from the senior QB.

Emeka Egbuka gives Ohio State another weapon at WR

While Smith has garnered a lot of attention, Egbuka has been phenomenal as well. Egbuka is second on the team with 896 receiving yards and 10 TDs.

Although Egbuka has only recorded 100 receiving yards once this season, he has been a consistent target for Howard. Egbuka has five or more receptions in eight of the Buckeyes’ games.

Even if Texas is somehow able to neutralize Smith, Egbuka gives Howard another threat down the field that can cause problems for opposing defenses.

Consistent rushing attack provides balance for Ohio State’s offense

The passing game has been a major area of success for Ohio State, especially in the two CFP games. However, the balanced run game between TreVeyon Henderson (925 yards, 10 TDs) and Quinshon Judkins (924 yards, 10 TDs) makes the Buckeyes next-to-unstoppable when they are clicking.

Henderson has four TDs in the two playoff games, while Judkins had a pair against Tennessee.

Texas has to find a way to make Ohio State more one-dimensional if it is going to slow the Buckeyes down.

The Buckeyes (-105) are the favorites to win the CFP National Championship, per FanDuel. Sarkisian’s comments show that he and the Longhorns are well aware of the challenge that awaits them in the Cotton Bowl.