Fiesta Bowl: Ohio State-Texas Preview

Ohio State won’t get thumped in the BCS title game like it did the past two seasons. But the Buckeyes might get thumped by Texas January 5 in the Fiesta Bowl.
The Longhorns believe they deserved a better BCS fate since they beat Oklahoma, so whether they take out that frustration on 10-2 Ohio State or sulk about it remains to be seen.

Oddsmakers currently have the Longhorns listed as 9-point favorites versus the Buckeyes, while the game’s total is sitting at 52.

Terrelle Pryor led Ohio State with two touchdown passes to beat Michigan 42-7 in Week 13.

The Buckeyes covered the 20.5-point spread, while the final score played OVER the posted total of 45.5.

Colt McCoy threw two TD passes and ran for another pair in helping lift Texas to a 49-9 win over Texas A&M last time out. Texas covered the 35-point spread, while the 57 points fell UNDER the posted total of 67.

McCoy completed 23-of-28 for 311 yards for Texas. Cody Johnson ran for 108 yards with two touchdowns in the win.

Team records:
Ohio State: 10-2 SU, 5-6 ATS
Texas: 11-1 SU, 9-3 ATS

Ohio State most recently:
When playing in January are 5-5
When playing on grass are 8-2
After outgaining opponent are 6-4
When an underdog on the road are 4-6

Texas most recently:
When playing in January are 4-2
When playing on grass are 10-0
After outgaining opponent are 8-2
When favored at home are 9-1

A few trends to consider:
Ohio State is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Ohio State’s last 5 games
Ohio State is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
Texas is 12-1 SU in its last 13 games
Texas is 10-3 ATS in its last 13 games