Ohio State is two wins away from a National Title after beating Tennessee and Oregon, as a challenging test looms against 5-seed Texas in the Cotton Bowl.

Ohio State dominated Tennessee and Oregon in its first two playoff games by a combined score of 83-38. The Buckeyes are playing at an extremely high level with a lot of confidence. This is the ceiling and high-end potential many knew Ohio State was capable of reaching. Thanks to the expanded playoff, Ryan Day’s team was afforded time to grow in an extended season. 

Day deserves a lot of credit for the coaching job he and his staff have done so far in the playoff run. After the result on November 30th, fans and critics called for his job. However, Ohio State responded like a veteran team by answering the bell in two difficult tests. 

Many figured Ohio State was out for revenge against Oregon because of its October loss in Eugene. While that may have been an element, the Buckeyes are fighting for another game in Scarlet and Gray and keeping this team together for a chance to hoist the National Championship Trophy. 

The Buckeyes aren’t playing to validate preseason predictions or expectations. External pressure and noise are merely moot because Ohio State’s motivation comes from within, which is when special postseason runs happen. 

Offensively, the Buckeyes are humming. Ryan Day’s innovation, passing game prowess, and Chip Kelly’s running game creativity marry to create the best of both worlds. Ohio State has been virtually unstoppable on offense during its two playoff games due to Day’s and Kelly’s game plans. 

Will Howard has been precise with the football, and Jeremiah Smith is reaching extraterrestrial levels. The talented freshman hauled 13 passes for 290 yards and four touchdowns in two postseason games. Nearly every time No. 4 touches the football, it’s an impact play for the Scarlet and Gray. 

Smith will continue to be featured against Texas, which boasts the best pass defense Ohio State has seen. The Cotton Bowl will be a coaching chess match both ways in a game both defenses enter highly touted. 

Jim Knowles has the Silver Bullets playing their best football of the season, especially up front. The Buckeyes registered eight sacks and thirteen tackles for loss against the Ducks. That performance was on the heels of four sacks and six tackles for loss against Tennessee. 

If Ohio State can get home to Quinn Ewers and affect his timing, it could present problems for the Longhorns. Georgia was able to confuse Ewers in both matchups to force turnovers. Ohio State’s blueprint will also be that especially if the Buckeyes can create havoc by rushing four or five players. 

Both teams have elite skill position players, but as always in high-profile matchups, this game will be decided in the trenches. Texas has the personnel advantage on offense, but Ohio State’s offensive line has played lights out the last two weeks. The battle up front on both sides of the ball will be a fascinating slugfest. 

The key for the Buckeyes is to stay aggressive and take the lead early. Similarly to the Tennessee and Oregon games, Ohio State raced to a 14-0 lead before anyone could blink. Doing so takes away the run game, which is how teams wear down the Buckeyes and control the clock and possession. 

Overall, the Cotton Bowl will be one of the top showdowns of the season, with a trip to Atlanta for the National Championship on the line. Will this group of Buckeyes get one final game in the Scarlet and Gray?