"Really good team that has some flaws": Paul Finebaum casts doubt over Steve Sarkisian & team's ability to win natty

The No. 3 Texas Longhorns are just one win away from securing a spot in the national championship game for the second consecutive season. However, Paul Finebaum has voiced his concerns about their ability to go all the way.

Speaking on McElroy and Cubelic in the Morning on Monday, Finebaum expressed doubts about Texas’s chances, particularly with their upcoming challenge against No. 6 Ohio State.

“I don’t know, Because, to me, they have a very big mountain to overcome on Friday night,”Paul Finebaum remarked. "I think they are a really good team that has some flaws. Their defense speaks for itself but I didn’t like the way that game ended the other day. I thought they were pretty fortunate to win.”

Texas narrowly escaped a thriller (39-31) against Arizona State in the Peach Bowl, a College Football Playoff semifinal. Meanwhile, Ohio State dominated (41-21) against Oregon in the Rose Bowl, showcasing its strength as a strong opponent.

Cotton Bowl 2025: Texas vs. Ohio State CFP semifinal

The high-powered Cotton Bowl matchup between the Texas and Ohio State game will determine one of the two spots in the national championship. The clash is scheduled for Friday at 7:30 p.m. ET. Fans can catch the game live on ESPN.

Texas will have a slight advantage of playing close to home as the game is set to take place at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. However, despite the proximity, the Cotton Bowl will officially be classified as a neutral-site game.

The Cotton Bowl Classic has been held at AT&T Stadium since 2010, moving from its previous location in Dallas after more than 60 years.

Quinn Ewers leads Texas in a challenging season

Quinn Ewers has been the key player for Texas in what has been a memorable yet challenging season. Now in his third year as the Longhorns’ starting quarterback, Ewers has consistently faced criticism despite leading the program to its best run of success since the 2007-2009 era. Arch Manning, a highly-touted quarterback waiting in the wings, adds to the pressure.

Injuries have also posed some serious challenges in his college career, and this season was no exception. Nonetheless, Ewers has delivered strong performances, completing 66.5 percent of his passes for 3,189 yards, along with 29 touchdowns and 11 interceptions this season.

With head coach Steve Sarkisian guiding the Longhorns to back-to-back playoff appearances, Texas has enjoyed great progress under his leadership.