Texas Is Reportedly Getting Big Return For Cotton Bowl On Friday
The Texas Longhorns nearly won the SEC in their first season as a member of the conference, and now they're the only SEC team left in the first-ever 12-team College Football Playoff.
It's been a long road to the Cotton Bowl for Texas, as they stand at the same point their season ended last year: one game away from playing for the national championship.
Last year it was Washington in the Sugar Bowl and this time it's Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl, but the mission remains the same for Steve Sarkisian and his team.
The Longhorns will be getting a major player back for the big bowl game, as starting left tackle Cameron Williams is expected to start on Friday. Williams missed the Peach Bowl against Arizona State with a knee injury, according to ESPN's Pete Thamel.
Williams' return could allow Texas to run the ball more effectively. After rushing for nearly 300 yards as a team against Clemson, Texas only had a total of 53 rushing yards against Arizona State.
AUSTIN, TEXAS - OCTOBER 19: The Texas Longhorns sideline reacts after an interception by the defense during the third quarter against the Georgia Bulldogs at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on October 19, 2024 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images)
The Playoff semifinals feature two teams from the Big Ten, one from the SEC and an independent. The teams from the top conferences can prove they truly took the most difficult road to a championship, while a Notre Dame championship would be a first in the super-conference era.
Thursday will see one head coach make history for either Notre Dame or Penn State, as Marcus Freeman or James Franklin will be the the first Black head coach to appear in the FBS title game.
It's a monumental moment for both fans and the programs alike, and it was clear that one of Texas' best players on the team wanted to make a return to help his squad win.
The Longhorns have lost only twice this season, falling to Georgia in the regular season and in the national championship game. They'll look to put those losses behind them as the Bulldogs are now out of the running for the national title.
With a clear mind, returning stars and a lot on the line, we'll see how Steve Sarkisian and his Texas team handle the precipice of the national championship on Thursday evening.
