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00:00Why don't we hook up with my boy, Rich Cermonello.
00:03Hey, Scotty, we got one half of the national championship set.
00:07We still have one game tonight between Ohio State and Texas.
00:12Cotton Bowl, State of Texas, Jerry's World.
00:15I think this is gonna be phenomenal.
00:16We've got two traditional powers,
00:17only met three times in history, Texas versus Ohio State.
00:21Let's take a look at the units for these two teams
00:24and how they got here.
00:25First off, Ohio State, no one has been more impressive.
00:29Blowouts of Tennessee, blowout of Oregon.
00:32Gotta be honest, did not see that one coming.
00:34Thought that would be a much more competitive game.
00:37Outcome was never in doubt.
00:39As you watched in the Rose Bowl,
00:40Ohio State got it done on both sides of the ball.
00:43Texas, on the other hand, a lot rockier to get to this point.
00:46Clemson win, but got a little bit dicey in the second half.
00:50And then that thriller in Atlanta against Arizona State,
00:54to me, showed a lot of resiliency for Texas
00:57and Steve Sarkeesian's team,
00:59but also showed a lot of weaknesses.
01:01So quickly, let's take a look at the units.
01:02First off, offense for Ohio State,
01:04what has stood out for me is the offensive line,
01:07which lost a couple of key players,
01:09now have begun to gel.
01:11Chip Kelly, much maligned at the end of the regular season,
01:15that loss to Michigan, finally has an identity.
01:18He's like, listen, you know, we've got Jeremiah Smith.
01:21We've got Emeka Igbuka.
01:22We've got those two big running backs
01:24in Travion Henderson and Quenshawn Judkins.
01:27Let's just turn them loose.
01:29And that has not only benefited the offense, Scott,
01:31but really, Will Howard.
01:32I've never seen Will Howard going back
01:34to the Kansas State days, never seen him so confident.
01:37He's in rhythm, and when Will Howard is in rhythm,
01:41that offense has been unstoppable.
01:43Against Tennessee, no one scored as many points
01:45as they did against the Vols this year, 42.
01:48Against Oregon, no one scored as many points
01:51as Ohio State did in Pasadena, 41.
01:54I think that continues,
01:55even against this very good Texas defense.
01:58So, Ohio State, I think, continues to roll offensively.
02:01Here's my concern with Texas, Scott.
02:04Not so much defense, a lot of talent up front,
02:07Jaday Barron on the back end.
02:09My concern is the offense,
02:10the inconsistencies of Quinn Yorrs,
02:12the inconsistencies of the running game.
02:14Ohio State's defense, for all the talk
02:16about Jeremiah Smith and Will Howard,
02:18that defense of Jim Knowles has been phenomenal.
02:21He's got some really good parts at every level.
02:24He's got hybrid players like Sonny Stiles
02:27and Lathan Ransom.
02:29Cody Simon's been phenomenal.
02:31I think Texas struggles to run the ball,
02:33struggles to score.
02:35I'm not getting in the way of Ohio State right now.
02:37Minus five and a half is what I get in on.
02:39Give me the Buckeyes.
02:40And in terms of a quirkier pick,
02:42I think we'll see Arch Manning.
02:44Quinn Yorrs has been healthy for far too long.
02:46Wouldn't be surprised if he doesn't finish this game.
02:49Give me Arch Manning anytime touchdown, plus 700.
02:53I think it might be a precursor
02:55of seeing more of Arch in 2025.
02:57So Ohio State laying the points
02:59and Arch Manning anytime touchdown.
03:01Those are my plays for tonight's game.