Cotton Bowl preview: Texas vs. Ohio State

Two of the biggest programs in college football are pitted against one another in the Cotton Bowl with Ohio State entering as the hottest team in the country and Texas limping in off a double-overtime thriller versus Arizona State.

You can expect a very pro-Longhorns crowd at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, but that won't matter if the Buckeyes show the same form as when they throttled Tennessee and Oregon.

Ryan Day's outfit is almost a touchdown favorite, and Steve Sarkisian's team faces the unlikely role of underdog for the national semifinal.

Here's how each team breaks down ahead of Friday's game.

Ohio State

When they have the ball

Ohio State's offensive weapons are the types that make you send thoughts and prayers to the opposition's defensive coordinator. At this point, you are almost hoping they choose to beat you by running the ball with the star duo of Quinshon Judkins and TreVeyeon Henderson instead of letting the alien that is Jeremiah Smith do the work through the air. Smith has 16 catches for 290 yards and four touchdowns in the playoffs alone.

The Buckeyes are averaging 8.1 yards per play in the playoffs with Will Howard throwing for an absurd 11.4 yards per attempt. How outrageous are those numbers? Both would lead the nation by a wide margin despite the fact they have been against Tennessee and Oregon and not including games against small schools from Group of 5 conferences.

Offensive coordinator Chip Kelly has thrown aside the methodical approach and focused on explosive plays in the playoffs - a strategy that has worked devastatingly. Ohio State scored four touchdowns of at least 40 yards in the first half vs. Oregon, something that hadn't been done against a No. 1 team this century.

When they don't

As good as the offense is for Ohio State, the defense has been the more reliable unit the entire season. Only Oregon has sniffed the 20-point mark against the Buckeyes, and the Ducks' offense is significantly more dangerous than any remaining team in the playoffs.

The defensive line is the engine that powers the defense with Jack Sawyer, JT Tuimoloau, Tyleik Williams, and Ty Hamilton all opting to return to Columbus for one more season instead of jumping to the NFL. The results have been what you would expect when pro talent returns to the college ranks. Ohio State is third nationally with 47 sacks on the season - with linebacker Cody Simon emerging as a pass-rushing terror late in his college career.

Buoyed by the stars returning in droves, the Buckeyes didn't need much help defensively, but they still brought in the biggest name on the offseason transfer portal market. Caleb Downs joined from Alabama and immediately solidified his place as the best defensive back in the sport with a standout season.

All told, the Buckeyes enter this contest as the best defense in the country with game-wreckers at all three levels.

Why they will win

Did you watch the Tennessee and Oregon games? Both opponents were undoubtedly top-10 teams, yet the Buckeyes made them look like high school squads from the opening kickoff. After failing to out-physical Michigan with a power running approach, Day and Kelly seem to be leaning into the "Oh, right, nobody can guard our receivers" approach on offense and lighting up the scoreboard.

Texas' defense is stout, but Clemson exposed the secondary at times to keep things close in Round 1. If the Tigers were able to experience success on the road in Austin, it's scary to think what Ohio State could do. The Buckeyes field the most talented roster left in the postseason, and it seems only a poor game plan or bad execution could knock them out before the final.

Why they won't

Did you watch the Michigan game? If you are looking for an example of self-sabotage dooming the Buckeyes, flip on a recording of the Wolverines' debacle. Ohio State seemingly forgot the enormous talent difference it held on the outside and tried to pound the ball into the teeth of a very strong defensive line. It ended with one of the most embarrassing losses in recent memory for the Buckeyes. Day has done wonders to flip the narrative around him and the program in the ensuing two games, but the potential is still there for questionable coaching decisions to have adverse affects on the program.

Texas

When they have the ball

Sarkisian is one of the best play-callers in the sport, something that's been evident in how Texas has opened each of its two playoff games. The Longhorns have moved the ball comfortably out of the gates en route to outscoring Clemson and Arizona State 45-13 in the first halves. Sarkisian's brilliance is often in his simplicity as he attacks the worst part of the opposition's defense time and again. That saw a whopping 292 rushing yards against the Tigers in the opening round - with running backs Jaydon Blue and Quintrevion Wisner combining for more than 250.

It was Quinn Ewers' time to shine against Arizona State, with the former Ohio State quarterback throwing for 322 yards and three scores in the overtime win. The Longhorns have plenty of receiving talent - notably standout tight end Gunnar Helm - but it's receiver Matthew Golden who has shone brightest in the playoffs.

While the skill position players get the shine, the offensive line is the best thing about Texas when it has the ball. All-American Kelvin Banks anchors that unit, and the hopeful return of tackle Cameron Williams will only strengthen what PFF ranks as the best line in the nation.

When they don't

Texas' defense thrives on creating havoc to give its ball-hawking secondary multiple chances at turnovers. Only BYU has more interceptions on the season than the Longhorns with Andrew Mukuba and Thorpe Award-winner Jahdae Barron posting five apiece. Up front, it's five-star freshman Colin Simmons' world and the offense is just living in it. The highly touted recruit is 20th in the nation in sacks and has generated at least four pressures in four of his past five games.

The Longhorns thrive in putting teams in third-and-long situations and letting the pass-rush hunt to pressure the quarterback. That gives the stellar duo of Makuba and Barron plenty of chances for game-changing interceptions. Given Ohio State's receiver talent, this will be the toughest test of the season for the Longhorns' secondary. However, with multiple injuries on the Buckeyes' offensive line, Simmons and crew could have a chance to get to Howard and force some ill-advised throws.

Why they will win

Ohio State's defense is exceptional, but it relies heavily on generating pressure without having to send extra men. Most teams simply cannot handle the talent of the defensive line, but Texas stands the best chance to do so given its dominant offensive line. Oregon held the Buckeyes without a sack and only two tackles for loss in its October victory, a performance the Longhorns could repeat in Arlington. With Ewers given plenty of protection, he should be able to pick apart the secondary and move the ball on the offensive side.

It's borderline impossible to stop Smith, but Barron is as good as any corner in the country. If he can limit the explosive plays Ohio State has lived on in the playoffs, that should keep things right in range for a Texas upset.

Why they won't

Have you watched Ohio State in the playoffs? Certain NFL defensive units might struggle to slow down the electric Buckeyes. The Longhorns probably don't have the offensive weapons to keep up in a shootout with Ohio State, so it's imperative the defense plays its best game of the year. Given that Clemson moved the ball through the air on Texas, it's very hard to see the Longhorns limiting the Buckeyes over a 60-minute game.