The College Football Playoff semifinals are underway after Notre Dame beat Penn State in the Orange Bowl on Thursday night. The Irish will face the winner of Friday’s Cotton Bowl, which features No. 8 Ohio State (12-2) and No.

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

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.