Forward of No. 8 seed Ohio State’s assembly with No. 5 seed Texas in Friday evening’s Goodyear Cotton Bowl Basic, Buckeyes offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Chip Kelly had plenty of reward for the Longhorns’ protection.
When talking with the media on Wednesday evening, Kelly was fast to level out the Longhorns’ veteran teaching employees and steadiness on the defensive facet of the ball.
Per Patrick Engels of the Buckeye Sports Bulletin, Kelly mentioned:
“So they’re very well coached. They do not hand over something low-cost. I believe they’re the No. 1 pink zone protection within the nation, and that is for a cause. They usually performed a big-time SEC schedule. So actually, actually well-coached staff in a very good scheme.”
Kelly made certain to level out the “actually, actually good” offense earlier than reverting again to how “legit” the Longhorns’ protection is and that “it should be a battle.”
Kelly’s feedback are spot-on. According to TeamRankings, Texas ranks third within the nation in opponent factors per recreation (14.5 PPG). The Longhorns have held 10 opponents beneath 20 factors this season and received 11 video games by double digits.
One participant Kelly talked about is edge rusher Colin Simmons, who received the Shaun Alexander Award because the nation’s prime freshman. At simply 19 years previous, Simmons leads the staff with 9 sacks. He additionally has 29 solo tackles, three forced fumbles and one interception this season.
Led by junior QB Quinn Ewers (3,189 move yards, 29 TDs), RBs Quintrevion Wisner (1,018 rush yards, 5 TDs) and Jaydon Blue (714 yards, eight TDs) and WR Matthew Golden (936 receiving yards, 9 TDs), Texas (13-2) has been balanced on each side of the ball.
Ohio State (12-2) possesses the nation’s greatest protection (12.1 PPG) and the sensational freshman WR Jeremiah Smith (1,224 yards, 14 TDs), so each groups have lots to be ok with heading into the showdown.
Despite the fact that the Buckeyes have received each of their playoff video games by not less than 20 factors, Kelly made it clear that Ohio State is effectively conscious of Texas’ vaunted protection as each groups battle for a spot within the CFP nationwide championship recreation on Jan. 20.
