A change at kicker? Texas mulls field goal unit for Cotton Bowl after Auburn misses two in Peach Bowl
ARLINGTON, Texas (KXAN) — Texas and Ohio State meet for the first time in the schools' storied histories for a spot in the College Football Playoff national championship game Friday at AT&T Stadium.
The Longhorns and Buckeyes clash in the Cotton Bowl Classic, part of the CFP semifinals. The winner will face Notre Dame in the national title game Jan. 20 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. The Fighting Irish topped Penn State in the Orange Bowl 27-24 Thursday in Miami.
Both teams are on their third game of the playoffs, hosting first-round games and picking up victories in the quarterfinals. Texas took out Clemson in the opening round in Austin and then beat Arizona State in a double-overtime thriller at the Peach Bowl. The Buckeyes have blown out both of their CFP opponent, Tennessee and top-seeded Oregon, on their way to the semifinals.
For Texas, a big question mark coming into the game is on special teams — who will kick field goals? Bert Auburn struggled in the Peach Bowl, missing what would have been the game-winning kick and one before that. When head coach Steve Sarkisian was asked about that in the head coach's press conference Thursday, he was noncommittal with his answer, saying he would "monitor" it. Will Stone, who typically only does kickoffs, would be the option for Sarkisian if he decides not to go with Auburn. Stone hasn't kicked a field goal in a game all season.
Sarkisian said Thursday that offensive lineman Cam Williams will play. He's been hampered by a knee injury in the Southeastern Conference championship game.
Kickoff is set for 6:45 p.m. and will be broadcast on ESPN.