3 reasons why Steve Sarkisian's Texas will not make CFP national championship

Texas's battle with Ohio State is more than just a challenge. It's not an accident that the Buckeyes are playing the best football of the remaining teams in college football's biggest show. It's not an accident that they're the odds-on favorites to win the championship. But Texas has its own claim to earning this historic moment.

After all, the Longhorns were at the top of the SEC virtually all season long. The only team that has beaten them was SEC champion Georgia. Nobody is seriously suggesting that Texas hasn't earned its spot, but winning against the Buckeyes is a tall, tall order. Here are three reasons why Texas' CFP party will end against OSU.

3 reasons Texas won't advance to CFP title game

Ryan Day and Ohio State are a challenging matchup for Texas in the CFP semifinals. (Photo Credit: IMAGN)

3. Ground game struggles

For a team that was remarkably balanced all season, the ground game seems to be abandoning the Longhorns. Texas' 4.46 yards per carry on the season is entirely respectable. But in two of Texas's last three games, the Longhorns have rushed for just 31 and 53 yards.

All season long, Texas dropped under 3.0 yards per carry just three times. Those three games were the two losses to Georgia and their overtime escape over Arizona State. It might be worth noting that Ohio State's run defense has held opponents under 3.0 yards per carry eight times this season. Oregon had 28 carries for -23 yards in OSU's quarterfinal game. That looks bad for Texas.

2. Red-zone issues

Texas' red-zone offense has also fallen off horribly in recent weeks. For the season, Texas has scored 43 touchdowns in 67 red-zone appearances, meaning 64.2% of red-zone trips ended in touchdowns. In the last four games, Texas has six red-zone touchdowns in 16 red-zone trips (37.5% conversions).

Is this a good time to mention that Ohio State's red-zone defense is insanely effective? For their season, the Buckeyes have allowed just 14 red-zone touchdowns in 34 opposing red-zone trips (41.2%). Even in Ohio State's two losses, opponents scored three red-zone touchdowns in nine trips (33.3%).

However, Texas' red-zone issues can cause more concern if their kicking game is unreliable.

1. Bert Auburn's slump

So many significant college football games come down to a critical field goal try. Of course, the other CFP semifinal game rested on Notre Dame kicker Mitch Jeter's field goal accuracy. Texas' Bert Auburn, who has done an excellent job in his career, has been in a fairly dire slump.

In the last four Texas games, Auburn is just 7-for-12 on field goal tries. Auburn missed from 48 yards against Texas A&M, from 42 and 51 yards against Georgia and from 48 and 38 yards against Arizona State. Auburn has missed just 20 total kicks in his Texas career, but he's not kicking well now.

Against Arizona State, Texas managed to survive significant field goal misses. Asking for the same thing against Ohio State might be too much to hope.

What do you think of Texas' chances? Share your take below in our comments section!