Bold Predictions as Buckeyes meet Texas in Cotton Bowl semifinal

ARLINGTON, Texas — Ohio State is two wins away from its first national title in a decade. The path so far has included two blowout wins of teams that were supposed to give this Buckeyes team fits. Neither were up to the challenge.

Texas appears to be, however. The Longhorns have two College Football Playoff wins of their own, and they’re going to be ready to take on Ohio State in their home state — with a likely burnt orange-heavy crowd on hand in AT&T Stadium.

Lettermen Row will have its score predictions out Friday ahead of the game, but we’re ready to reveal our bold predictions for what will happen when Ohio State and Texas meet with a trip to the national title game on the line. Let’s dive in.

Spencer Holbrook: Will Howard posts new career high in passing yards

Will Howard has just four career games of more than 300 passing yards. He has thrown for at least 300 yards in each of his last two games, and he threw for 326 in the loss to Oregon back in October. But the most passing yards he has ever posted in a college game actually came last year when he had 327 in Kansas State overtime loss to Texas. Howard is 0-4 in his career against the Longhorns, and this will be his last crack at a former Big 12 rival. The bold prediction here is that with this group of playmakers Howard has, he finally beats Texas with the most prolific passing day of his career, topping his previous high he set against Texas a year ago and putting the Buckeyes into the national championship game.

Tim May: Carnell Tate, Emeka Egbuka come up big in Cotton Bowl

It’s time for another Ohio State receiver to step forward, not that Emeka Egbuka has been standing in the wings behind front man Jeremiah Smith. But the sense is Egbuka and Carnell Tate will have more chances at big plays against the Texas defense. So Egbuka and Tate will combine for 10 catches minimum, 130 yards minimum and 3 touchdowns minimum.

Alex Gleitman: Arch Manning replaces Quinn Ewers for Texas

I think Texas may have some wrinkles in their game plan regardless for second year quarterback Arch Manning to have a role in this game, but my prediction is that Manning ends up taking over the reigns for Quinn Ewers as the every down quarterback in this game. I think the Texas offense could sputter a bit against a tough Ohio State defense, and a la Jalen Hurts/Tua Tagovaiola in the 2018 CFP title game, Sark will go to Arch to try and revive the offense and beat the Buckeyes.

Mick Walker: Will Kacmarek catches first career Ohio State touchdown

Despite the fact that Jeremiah Smith has 13 receptions for 290 yards and four touchdowns in the College Football Playoff, Ohio State has done a good job of spreading the ball around offensively. Tight end Gee Scott has had over 30 yard receiving in both games. I think it will Will Kacmarek’s turn against Texas. He is primarily known as the Buckeyes blocking tight end but I think gets into against the Longhorns. Kacmarek has yet to catch a touchdown pass at Ohio State but I seeing that changing in the Cotton Bowl.