Casting doubts over Penn State and Notre Dame's ceiling, LSU alum Booger McFarland backs Steve Sarkisian's Texas

Steve Sarkisian and the Texas Longhorns have a difficult matchup in the College Football Playoff semifinals. They are due to play the Ohio State Buckeyes in the Cotton Bowl Classic on Friday, and many pundits consider the Buckeyes to be the favorite for the national championship.

On Thursday, LSU alumni Booger McFarland appeared on an episode of "Always College Football" to talk about the team that can beat the Buckeyes.

"I think the team that could possibly give (Ohio State) a run if they're playing their best is Texas," McFarland said (starts at 1:20). "I think when you look at how they can match up. You look at Texas' defense. You look at Quinn Ewers. You look at the offense if Bond and Wingo and those guys can make plays on offense, they can run the football. Texas' offensive line, it's no slouch."

"I honestly think that if Ohio State doesn't quite play to a 10, let's say they play to an 8.5 and Texas plays to a 10, I think Texas can no doubt about it win this game. It just goes to show you how styles make fights. Because I think Texas is the one team that if Ohio State isn't quite on, it's the one team left that can really beat Ohio State.

"I don't know if Notre Dame can do it. I don't know if Penn State can do it. But I do know that Texas at their best can play Ohio State and beat them if Ohio State is just a little bit off."

Steve Sarkisian and the Texas Longhorns must play at their best to defeat Ohio State

Based on Booger McFarland's comments, he believes that the national champion will come out of the Cotton Bowl.

The Buckeyes have been the most dominant team in the CFP, blowing out two contenders in Tennessee, 42-17 in the first round, and Oregon, 41-21 in the second round. Conversely, the Longhorns barely escaped the second round with a 39-31 double-overtime win over Arizona State.

However, Steve Sarkisian and the Longhorns have only lost to Georgia this season (twice) and have otherwise proven to be an elite offense. If Quinn Ewers can get the offense going, McFarland thinks they could come out on top.