Preview: 2009 Fiesta Bowl

No. 10 Ohio State vs. No. 3 Texas

Texas

The Question on Everyone's Mind: Can Texas really do enough?

The Answer to Everyone's question: Not really. The only way Texas can impress the voters into a few No. 1 votes, is if the BCS Championship Game devolves into a sloppy, mistake-laden, 6-3 snoozer. That's not going to happen. Texas could beat Ohio State 63-0, but there's relatively no chance to break the BCS this year.

How the Longhorns can win: Just play their game. Remember (as if anyone will ever forget), 45-35! Texas is only playing in the Fiesta Bowl because the planets aligned for Texas Tech, for one second, on Nov. 1. Outside of that, the Longhorns were the most impressive team from top to bottom. There are plenty of tools on both sides of the ball to beat up on Ohio State, starting and ending with Colt McCoy and Brian Orakpo. Texas should be able to contain Chris Wells, and take advantage of a sketchy Buckeyes offensive line, just enough to win this one comfortably. And while the offense hasn't had a consistent running threat outside of McCoy, it can cause enough problems for the Ohio State defense to keep this one out of the Buckeyes' reach.

Ohio State

The Question on Everyone's Mind: Ok, how about now?

The Answer to Everyone's question: No, not yet, but almost. Ohio State said last year would be different. The Florida loss was just a bunch of snowballing problems, which led to the massive letdown in the championship game. The Buckeyes would be ready for LSU. Not so much. Then came the trip to Los Angeles. This time, no Beanie and a bad quarterbacking situation. Ohio State probably can't beat Texas in this, the fourth round of "yes, we can," but coming close would prove a lot.

How the Buckeyes can win: Well, in case anyone's forgotten, Ohio State is starting more than a few NFL Draft picks on defense. And Texas hasn't faced one like this all season. Terrelle Pryor will have to come up with a (dare I say it) Vince Young-like performance to keep the offense moving, but that could be a tall task for even an experienced quarterback. I have a sneaky feeling that the Ohio State defense will show up hungry and angry tonight, and prevent Texas from lighting things up the way most think. Colt McCoy had plenty of trouble against the active Texas Tech defensive front, and while Ohio State hasn't been super up front, the secondary is better than anything in the Big XII this year, which could make up for any lack of pass rush.

Predictions

What will happen: Figure that this game will look like a watered-down version of the Rose Bowl. Ohio State will hang tough, but a few big plays by McCoy will be just too much to overcome on offense. Texas won't hang 31 on the Buckeyes before the half, but it won't look good.

Score: Texas 26, Ohio State 17