“That’s what they have to give Quinn Ewers”: Josh Pate fires clear advice to Steve Sarkisian & Co. as Texas gears up to face Ohio State

Steve Sarkisian's No. 4 Texas will lock horns with No. 6 Ohio State in the semifinals of the College Football Playoff on Friday. The Longhorns beat Arizona State 39-31 in double overtime in the Peach Bowl but will face a much sterner test against Ryan Day's team, which crushed top-seeded Oregon 41-21 in the Rose Bowl.

Ahead of the eagerly awaited Cotton Bowl, analyst Josh Pate offered his two cents on how Sarkisian's Texas can pose a threat to OSU.

"What they have to do is, A, have a very healthy run game or, B, they have to be plus-two or more in the turnover battle," Pate said on his college football show on Monday. "I don't have some magic number that I think (Texas quarterback Quinn) Ewers has to throw for. They can win with him throwing for 260 (yards) or they could lose with him throwing 310 'cause they're in catch-up mode all afternoon."

The Longhorns will need Ewers to be on fire against the Buckeyes to reach the national championship game. The signal-caller has tallied 3,189 yards and 29 touchdowns with 11 interceptions while also rushing for two touchdowns across 13 games this season.

Although Texas (12-2) has a better ranking than Ohio State (13-2), many believe that the Buckeyes are the favorites to win Friday's contest. Star quarterback Will Howard will lead the offense for Ohio State.

How to watch Steve Sarkisian's Texas vs. Ohio State? TV schedule and live stream details for College Football Playoff semifinal clash

Texas Longhorns HC Steve Sarkisian - Source: Imagn

The Texas vs. Ohio State CFP semifinal will be broadcast live on ESPN, where Chris Fowler (play-by-play) and Kirk Herbstreit (analyst) will be in the announcers' booth. Holly Rowe will report from the sidelines.

Fans can also livestream the Cotton Bowl on Fubo.

• Date: Friday. Jan. 10, 2025
• Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
• TV channel: ESPN
• Live stream: Fubo
• Venue: AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Dallas