This article analyzes key matchups between Ohio State and Texas in the College Football Playoff Semifinal, highlighting strategic advantages and potential weaknesses for both teams based on advanced analytics.
It’s Wednesday. In the regular season, that meant a section on SP+ and the College Football Power Index in the Skull Session. After a long hiatus, I think it’s time for a brief look at how the computers have viewed the Buckeyes’ postseason dominance.You all know the love-hate relationship I have with Pro Football Focus. In this Wednesday Skull Session, it will be all love between me and PFF as I share some advanced analytics from Max Chadwick and Dalton Wasserman.
This week, Chadwick and Wasserman released a College Football Playoff semifinal preview episode of the PFF College Football Show. In it, the analysts discussed four matchups to watch in the battle between Ohio State and Texas: Quinn Ewers vs. Jim Knowles’ new favorite coverage, Texas’ outside-zone heavy scheme vs. Ohio State’s front six, Ohio State’s receivers vs. Texas’ defensive backs, and Ohio State’s counter-heavy schemes vs. Texas’ front seven.In the CFP, Knowles has used his Cover 2 most often at 25.5 percent. Usually, the Buckeyes run a Tampa 2 scheme in a traditional look where Caleb Downs and Lathan Ransom are both responsible for a deep half of the field, and a linebacker covers seam routes between them. However, against Tennessee and Oregon, Knowles placed Ransom and Jordan Hancock in the deep halves and let Downs lurk over the middle of the field. This allowed Ohio State to limit deep balls as Downs defended the seams and helped in run support with his (unanimous) All-American capabilities. Ewers and Texas have had issues against Cover 2 this season, with the veteran quarterback having a 55.8 passing grade with five turnover-worthy passes across 56 dropbacks. As a team, the Longhorns rank 51st in the FBS against two-high defenses compared to fifth against one-high defenses. Expect a lot of two-high from Ohio State on Friday.Texas has called outside zone on 34 percent of its rushing attempts this season, the 17th highest rate in the FB
Ohio State Texas College Football Playoff Matchups Analytics
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