Ohio State head coach Ryan Day and Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian addressed the media on Thursday, a day before their teams face off in the College Football Playoff semifinals at the Cotton Bowl. Day emphasized that the Buckeyes’ past accomplishments will have no bearing on the outcome of the game, stating that “the slate is wiped clean” every week.
Day also discussed his decision to step away from play-calling duties, citing the need to focus more on the team as a whole. He praised Sarkisian as a “tremendous offensive mind” and acknowledged the challenge of facing the Longhorns.
Sarkisian, meanwhile, continued to embrace his team’s underdog role, noting that the Longhorns are “massive underdogs” against the favored Buckeyes. He emphasized the importance of his team staying focused and executing their game plan.
Both coaches acknowledged the physical and mental grind of a long season, with Sarkisian noting that the consistency required to keep players focused is a major challenge. Day praised his team’s resilience and ability to adapt to different situations.
The health of Texas right tackle Cameron Williams was also a topic of discussion, with Sarkisian confirming that Williams will play on Friday.
As the two teams prepare to face off, it’s clear that both coaches are focused on the task at hand. The Buckeyes are seeking to advance to the national championship game, while the Longhorns are looking to pull off a major upset.
Regardless of the outcome, both teams have already achieved significant success this season. The Buckeyes have won 12 games, while the Longhorns have won 11. The Cotton Bowl will provide a fitting stage for these two powerhouse programs to clash.
In terms of key matchups, the battle between Ohio State’s offense and Texas’s defense will be one to watch. The Buckeyes boast a high-powered offense led by quarterback Will Howard, while the Longhorns have a stout defense that has been impressive all season.
On the other side of the ball, the Texas offense will look to exploit any weaknesses in the Ohio State defense. Longhorns quarterback Quinn Ewers has been inconsistent at times this season, but he has also shown flashes of brilliance.
Ultimately, the outcome of the game will depend on which team can execute its game plan most effectively. Both coaches have expressed confidence in their teams’ abilities, and it’s likely to be a closely contested and intense matchup.
