The Texas Longhorns' defense sent a very clear message to the Ohio State Buckeyes early on in the Cotton Bowl: Jeremiah Smith was not going to be the one to bea

Texas once faced similar odds against a team considered the greatest ever, and Vince Young beat them with a stroll across the corner of a Rose Bowl end

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.