This weekend, the Longhorns will face Ohio State with a chance to punch a ticket to the national championship game. In the YouTube video above, our Devon Messinger and Dylan DeRaud name their X-factors to watch in Texas’ CFP matchup.
Messinger’s X-Factors:
This might be cheating but my X-factor is Texas’ third quarter offense. In Texas’ last six games, the team has failed to score a touchdown in the third quarter. And, while the Longhorns have been pretty good at bouncing back late, this is not a game in which you can afford to wait that late. If Texas comes out of the locker room with another sluggish start to the second half, well… watch out.
DeRaud’s X-Factors:
The X-factor in this game is which version of Will Howard shows up. If it’s the quarterback who struggled against Michigan, Texas’s defense will be able to take over the game. However, if it’s the Will Howard who has thrown for 300 yards in each of his last two games, Texas could be in trouble. Howard has only been held under 200 yards twice this season, and both were against elite defenses (Michigan and Penn State). For Texas to keep him from finding a rhythm with targets like Egubka and Smith, they’ll need to pressure him early and make him uncomfortable in the pocket.
