LONGHORNHOOSIER - PLAYOFF SEMI - TEXAS V. OHIO STATE, 01 10 25

PICKS

1) TEXAS - ML +202

2) TEXAS-OHIO STATE  - UNDER 52 -108 - FOR THE GAME

RATIONALE

Yes, I am homer and an alumnus of The University of Texas at Austin.   Yes, the ML pick is a bit homer, and also a bit contrarian...Yes, Texas must play much better to pull off the win...This will be the best defense that Ohio State will face this season, better than Oregon, better than Michigan...Same goes for Texas...thus, I like the under...Both rosters are loaded with NFL talent...Game is in Texas, and yes I know Ohio State travels well, with all the cancelled flights out of DFW and Love, I think there will be a lot of OSU fans that won't make it.   I think locals will snap up the now reasonably priced tickets, and Texas will have 3/4 of the fans in the stands.  Granted cavernous ATT is not exactly that loud, but Texas will have a majority of the support.     Texas has to be able to run the ball, probably on the outside, and Sark must be innovative with his play calling for the entire 60 minutes.   He tends to get conservative too fast and allows teams to stay in the game.  He can't do that against Ohio State.    Ewers must have the game of his life.  No stupid interceptions...I think the OSU corners are vulnerable.  If Sark and Ewers can exploit that weakness, and utilize our TE's and Blue out of the backfield, I think we can move the ball.   Manning will not play, unless there is an injury to Ewers.  So its on Ewers.   Texas OL will have to play the best game of the season.   Over the last 4 weeks, Texas has had plenty of stupid penalties, holding, offsides, etc.   It drives me crazy.    On paper, OSU is the more complete team right now...But, Texas has had to endure for the last week, that they did not deserve to beat ASU, that Texas got a favorable call on the alleged targeting...I think Texas comes out with a chip on their shoulders, while OSU has been reading their press about the dominating wins in the playoffs to date...I think like many of you squares on OSU, you think an OSU win and cover are a lock, OSU is feeling good about their chances against Texas...I think Texas will surprise many this evening with their performance...

PREDICTED SCORE

Texas 24

Ohio State 23

GLTA! 

Who covers Jeremiah Smith? He can score at will 24/7 

The Jim Thorpe Award Winner...Jahdae Barron...that's who...and yes, OSU has other targets...and we have other elite DB's...

Ewers throws lollipops.  Sarkesian should have benched him a while ago.  Manning will play if they down 14+ at half.  

No, he will not...Again, unless Ewers gets hurt, or needs a change of pace running play, Ewers will play the entire game...Perhaps you will be a believer  by the end of the game...

he’s never covered someone close to Jeremiah Smith’s level 

The #1 overall recruit….with the potential of Julio Jones and on par with Mizzou’s Luther Burden.  I get it.  He has elite talent.   But, he can’t win the game himself…and perhaps scheme on D can bend but don’t break, to keep him in check…We’ll see…

He will have another 2 TDs..

We'll see...

@LonghornHoosier

IMO, this will be a very close game.  I'm hoping 31-24, Buckeyes.  Yes, I'm an Aggie fan but......there's too much on the line tonight for either team to not be ready.   

I think this will be a fun game to watch!  Just poured my first whiskey and hope to make it by game's end!  Cheers everyone and GL tonight, either way!!  

Ewers throws the best back shoulder pass iv seen, its literally un-guardable. If this kid is on OSU is in for all they want. This is the same OSU team that struggled against Nebraska in Ohio.... Keep the +6 give me longhorns ML Aswell. 

Ewers is trash and Sark is a choker like James Franklin that will never win a natty. 

Texas will lose by double digits tonight and then will try to sell their fans that next year is the year with Archie but it won’t be again because of Sarkisian. 

#2 strength of schedule for the Buckeyes

Texas, I am sure is as good as Notre Dame's....maybe a tad stronger.

Ranks in the other categories for defense is a whole other matter when you look at the Buckeyes. Boy, Texas better bring the foreign object in their tights and use them effectively on Buckeyes key players to taken them out 

Nico played his ass off and the Vols defense is no joke.....so, a 41-17 butt whooping with the Buckeyes taking their foot off the gas in Q4 it seemed, was dare I say.....a real tell as to what the Buckeyes were all focused on and eyeing going into their next match vs the DUCKS..... man, they kept it going. Texas, formerly one year removed from the B12 is gonna step up and bully the Buckeyes enough at times to hang around to trust Ewers to do everything right against the #1 pass defense in college with freakish lineman chasing him?? 

Have a look >  https://www.covers.com/sport/football/ncaaf/teams/main/ohio-state-buckeyes/stats

I like you taking a risk and strong bet thesis in your mind but honestly, there are just too many factors going against the Horns to win this Longhorn and I am being honest as a Horn fan too, but obviously not to the same degree as you. If you went back to Sept-October, I was singing the praises of Texas left and right.....but now.....boy, Sark better have his best gameplan that has never been shown to anyone and a lot of luck tonight. An SEC team designation means nothing to this Buckeyes team and they branded the VOLS as such.

Lets have a tight ball game like last night and I wish you 

@LonghornHoosier

 Not likely Texas will keep it close for a while , their defense is legit, but Buckeyes will pull away late dd win by Ohio State.

@LonghornHoosier

 GL and on different sides. If somehow OSU loses which I doubt, it’s just money for me and happiness for you through the year.

Absolutely love this post People will be sh*ting after this one

Texas is going to get blown out. Save your $$$

I tend to agree but money keeps coming in on tOSU

You don't want the points (I'm seeing some +6.5s now)? Even as an OSU homer/alum, I think this number is inflated, and I tied things into them just winning straight up. I do like some of the points you made, but I think if TX has a shot it simply falls on the defensive line.  Pressure Howard, that's your bread and butter because we've seen him get rattled before. The OSU line has done a great job the last couple games but this will be their toughest test yet. 

You forget that Ohio State is on a mission after the Michigan loss. They are out to prove that they are the hands down National Champions. They will let nothing get in their way. They have destroyed Tennessee, they have destroyed Oregon, and they will destroy Texas and Norte Dame. Sometimes that is just how it goes. Let all the naysayers, be naysayers...

@LonghornHoosier

 good luck tonight. with you on the spread and the ml.

that is just fan talk bs. both teams are on the same mission, to win it all. if they win it will be because they are the better team and played better. both teams have something to prove.

I am getting a 2X payout if my Horns win.  I think the wrong team is favored.  But, I can see the rationale for Ohio State being favored.  May the best team win.

Total homer play…but I’m on it as well.  As an Alabama fan that is exceptionally hard for me to say.  I think Texas is waaay better than scoring has shown the last couple of games.   The first few games were a team going the distance, and that’s what I think shows up tonight.  f@#% Ohio Taint!

GL on your plays @LonghornHoosier