Stephen Means, Stefan Krajisnik and Andrew Gillis discuss the difference-making factors in Ohio State football's Cotton Bowl matchup against Texas.

Irish Breakdown makes predictions for the upcoming matchup between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Texas Longhorns

The Buckeyes will meet the No. 5 seed Texas Longhorns at AT&T Stadium on Friday night (7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN). The winner of Friday’s game will move on to play either Notre Dame or Penn State on January 20th in the national championship game.

On the back end, Texas has allowed only eight passing scores this year and ranks No. 3 in pass defense success rate. All-American cornerback Jahdae Barron had a standout season with five interceptions and 11 pass breakups and is a key cog in the hopes of slowing down Ohio State receivers Jeremiah Smith and Emeka Egbuka.

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The expanded 12-team College Football Playoff has worked well for Ohio State thus far but not so much for some of its loyal fanbase. The Buckeyes are one win away from securing a berth in the national title game if it can get past the Texas Longhorns in Friday night's Cotton Bowl in Arlington,

Ahead of No. 8 seed Ohio State's meeting with No. 5 seed Texas in Friday night's Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic, Buckeyes offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Chip Kelly had a lot of praise for the Longhorns' defense.

There is still a sense for some Ohio State players that they haven’t done anything yet, even after winning twice already this postseason to get into the College Football Playoff semifinal at the Cotton Bowl against Texas.