CFB analyst has 2 big questions around Texas as Quinn Ewers & co. gear up to face Ohio State

Texas will come up against Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl on Friday night for a chance in the national championship game. The two teams started their College Football Playoff campaign in the first round and are considered strong contenders to claim the national title.

The Buckeyes have been the CFP's most dominant team, presenting a huge challenge for Steve Sarkisian's team in the semifinal. Ahead of the highly anticipated game, college football expert Danny Kanell believes the Longhorns’ fate in the game is based on two issues.

“I think how Texas' offensive line plays against Ohio State's defensive front,” Kanell said on the "Cover 3 Podcast" (Timestamp 0:17). “From a standpoint of, ‘Can they run the football?’ which they have been great at recently, and ‘Can they protect (quarterback) Quinn Ewers?’ That to me is one of the biggest question marks I have in the game.

“I feel like for Texas to have a chance in this game, they probably have to score because of what Ohio State has opened up. I know Texas' defense is pretty good, but I don't think they're gonna be able to stop this Ohio State offense. So, in order for them to put points against Ohio State, I think it comes out of that offensive line.”

Steve Sarkisian wants Texas fans to turn up in Arlington

The Cotton Bowl will be staged in its usual venue, AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. This comes as a huge advantage for the Longhorns, who will be playing in-state. Steve Sarkisian believes it's like a home game, and he wants the fans to turn up for the game.

"I need Longhorn Nation to show out in Arlington,” Sarkisian said in his news conference. “We're going to need everything we've got to try to win this game. Clearly, we're massive underdogs. Nobody's going to give us a shot.

“This is the best team in college football, and we're going to have to make sure that we put our best forward to give ourselves a chance to win the game."

After scoring more than 40 points against Tennessee and Oregon in the first two rounds, Ohio State (12-2) is considered a strong favorite for the encounter. Despite entering the CFP with a lot of doubts, the Buckeyes are now rated highly following their dominant outing.

Nonetheless, the Longhorns (13-2) have been one of the best teams this season. This makes the possibility of staging an upset in Arlington on Friday night very high.