As the highly anticipated Cotton Bowl approaches, Texas finds itself facing an Ohio State team that has been one of the most dominant forces in college football this season. While the Buckeyes boast a well-rounded roster with a potent offense and a tenacious defense, they do have a key vulnerability that Texas must exploit if they hope to secure a victory: Ohio State’s vulnerable secondary.
Ohio State’s secondary has been a concern throughout the season, despite the team’s overall success. The Buckeyes have struggled with consistency in their pass coverage, particularly when facing fast, athletic wide receivers who can stretch the field. In several games, Ohio State’s defensive backs have been exposed, giving up big plays in critical moments. While their defensive front seven is elite, putting pressure on opposing quarterbacks and disrupting the run game, their defensive backfield has been more susceptible to mistakes, miscommunications, and occasional breakdowns in coverage.
For Texas, this presents a clear path to victory. The Longhorns have one of the most talented receiving corps in the country, with a deep group of wideouts who possess both speed and size. The key will be for quarterback Quinn Ewers to effectively exploit Ohio State’s secondary by delivering accurate throws and allowing his playmakers to create mismatches downfield. Wide receivers like Xavier Worthy, Jordan Whittington, and Adonai Mitchell, all capable of stretching the defense and making plays on the ball, should be used in a variety of ways to challenge Ohio State’s defensive backs.
Texas’ offensive strategy should focus on quick throws to the outside, vertical passing plays, and creating opportunities for their receivers to exploit one-on-one coverage situations. Ohio State has been vulnerable to explosive plays, particularly when their defensive backs are forced to play catch-up after being beaten off the line or failing to read the quarterback’s eyes. By keeping the Buckeyes’ defense on its heels and forcing them to commit to covering multiple routes at once, Texas can take advantage of these lapses in coverage.
Additionally, Texas’ offense has the ability to mix in a balanced attack. While exploiting Ohio State’s secondary is critical, the Longhorns should also make sure to keep the defense guessing with their running game. Bijan Robinson, Texas’ standout running back (if still in the program, or a replacement with similar talent), has the ability to take over a game and create situations where Ohio State’s defense is forced to bring extra defenders into the box. This, in turn, could open up more opportunities in the passing game, particularly in play-action scenarios where the Buckeyes’ secondary will have to respect the run threat.
Ohio State’s struggles in pass coverage were particularly evident in their games against teams that had strong, mobile quarterbacks capable of extending plays and making pinpoint throws under pressure. Quinn Ewers, while not as mobile as some of the quarterbacks Ohio State has struggled against, is more than capable of making throws from different platforms and moving outside the pocket to make big throws. Ewers’ ability to extend plays and remain calm under pressure will be critical if Texas is to capitalize on Ohio State’s secondary weaknesses.
Ultimately, for Texas to win the Cotton Bowl, their success will hinge on their ability to consistently exploit Ohio State’s vulnerable defensive backfield. By challenging the Buckeyes’ secondary early and often, stretching the field vertically, and utilizing their wide receivers’ speed and athleticism, Texas has a realistic chance to pull off an upset. If the Longhorns can force Ohio State’s defense to overcommit to one aspect of their game, they’ll be able to control the pace and momentum, giving themselves an excellent shot at victory in this high-stakes showdown.
