Penn State, which has yet to win a CFP game, will face the winner. Notre Dame–Georgia Jan. 9 at the Capital One Orange Bowl at 7:30 p.m. ET. The All-State Sugar Bowl was a College Football Playoff quarterfinal. Adjournment By 4 p.m. Thursday after a deadly truck attack in New Orleans that left at least 10 dead and dozens injured.
While Penn State awaits its opponent, here’s an early look at the semifinal matchup between Texas and Ohio State. — Heather Dench
when: January 10, 7:30pm ET. TV: ESPN
What we learned in the quarterfinals: Texas has gone through quite the identity crisis over the past six weeks on offense. After dominating their final two regular-season games, the Longhorns bounced back from struggling on the ground against Arizona State to dominate in the first round against Clemson, missing out on the SEC Championship. went So which Texas offense will show up against Ohio State? There’s no doubt that Texas will need a big rushing effort to beat the Buckeyes. Perhaps aggressively Cameron Williams Will be healthy enough to play and help make a difference. Either way, we learned that the Texans still have work to do to put together a complete offensive performance.
The X Factor: T.E Gunner Helm. Texas Steve Sarkisian likes to use his tight ends in the run offense, and Helm came up big with three catches for 56 yards — and the game-winning touchdown in overtime — in a win over Arizona State. Helm was also big in the opening-round win over Clemson, hauling in six catches for 77 yards and a score. Sarkisian praised Chick-Fil-A for going to the Peach Bowl, saying, “The sheer number of things we do in our systems makes it extremely valuable. When you have a good one, I It seems to make life a lot easier from our play caller’s perspective.”
How Texas Wins: Texas has been ranked the No. 1 defense in the country for much of the season for a reason, and we saw that in a big way in its win over Arizona State. The Longhorns have to keep moving forward and moving forward. Will Howard To make him uncomfortable. Michigan provided the blueprint for winning in November, when it dominated on both lines of scrimmage. Texas certainly has the ability to do that with its defensive and offensive fronts. But the Longhorns will absolutely have to improve on their offensive line to have any shot at winning. They were overwhelmed at times by a small Arizona State defensive front. — Andrea Adelson
What we learned in the quarterfinals: No one can stop Jeremiah Smithand by extension, the Ohio State offense. Against an Oregon team that had ousted them in October, the Buckeyes came out of the Pasadena gates ready to prove that the Ducks didn’t have their numbers. Thanks to Smith, who caught five balls for 161 yards and two touchdowns of 40-plus yards in the first half alone (he finished with 187 yards), Ohio State seemed to play at a different pace. , as Oregon looked helpless on both. sides of the ball. The freshman wide receiver was a blur, moving through the Ducks’ secondary with ease to make his case as not just the best freshman — or the best wide receiver — in the country, but one of the game’s best. made It helped that nearly every Ohio State skill player who touched the ball got the gold — running back. Trayvon Henderson Two touchdowns, and the wide receiver averaged double-digit yards per carry Emeka Igboka Adds his big game in the first half with a 42-yard touchdown grab. It was all a reminder that the best version of this Buckeyes team might be unstoppable.
The X Factor: RB Traveon Henderson. The Texas defense may have no choice but to sell to stop Smith, and while Smith may still get it, it will certainly open up other wideouts on the Buckeyes’ offense in addition to Henderson. . The senior hasn’t been particularly flashy this season, but he’s been consistent. In Pasadena, however, he looked as good as ever, recording his first 100-yard game of the season. There’s no question that Ohio State’s aerial game is its strength, but if he can pair it with a more consistent run than Henderson, the Longhorns will have a tough time on defense.
How Ohio State Wins: After doing exactly what they didn’t do to dominate Oregon in Pasadena, the Buckeyes now have a clear recipe for success. The confidence they inherited from avenging their loss to the Ducks should be proof enough that they have the ability and performance to beat any team, especially Texas. A healthy dose of Smith will be essential, a stout defense that has had more sacks than any other playoff team thus far will need to put pressure on him. Quinn Eversbut much will surely fall. Will Howardshoulder of In the Rose Bowl presented by Prudential, Howard looked as comfortable as he’s looked all season. He didn’t make a critical mistake, threw three touchdowns and had Smith over and over again. He will have to do more of the same in the Cotton Bowl. — Paolo Ugetti