Ohio State Faces Texas in Cotton Bowl for CFP Semifinal Spot

Ohio State football is set to make its sixth College Football Playoff appearance as the No. 8 seed in the inaugural 12-team field. The Buckeyes will face the Texas Longhorns in the Cotton Bowl on Friday, Jan. 10, 2025, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The winner will advance to the national championship game on Jan. 20 in Atlanta.

The Buckeyes (12-2) enter the game on a high note after defeating Oregon 41-21 in the Rose Bowl on New Year’s Day. Texas (11-2), the No. 2 seed, secured their spot with a thrilling 39-31 double-overtime victory over Arizona State in the Peach Bowl. This marks the fourth meeting between the two storied programs, with Texas holding a 2-1 edge in previous matchups.

Ohio State’s journey to the semifinal has been marked by resilience and depth. After a rocky start to the season, including a 32-31 loss to Oregon and a narrow 21-17 win over Nebraska, the Buckeyes found their stride with key victories over Penn State and Indiana. However, a 13-10 loss to Michigan in their regular-season finale raised questions about their championship potential.

Head coach Ryan Day has leaned on a mix of veteran leadership and transfer portal additions to bolster the roster. Quarterback Will Howard, a transfer from Kansas State, has thrown for 3,490 yards and 32 touchdowns this season. Running back Quinshon Judkins, another transfer from Ole Miss, has paired with TreVeyon Henderson to form a dynamic backfield duo. The Buckeyes also boast one of the nation’s top receiving corps, led by true freshman Jeremiah Smith, who has amassed 1,224 yards and 14 touchdowns.

Defensively, Ohio State has been anchored by standout performances from defensive ends JT Tuimoloau and Jack Sawyer, who combined for 18 sacks this season. Safety Caleb Downs, a transfer from Alabama, has been a key addition to the secondary.

Texas, under head coach Steve Sarkisian, presents a formidable challenge. The Longhorns’ high-powered offense and stout defense have carried them through a competitive season. Quarterback Quinn Ewers has been a steady leader, while the defense has consistently disrupted opposing offenses.

Ohio State’s history in the College Football Playoff is a mixed bag. The Buckeyes won the inaugural CFP title in 2014 but have since struggled in semifinal matchups, including a 31-0 loss to Clemson in 2016 and a 29-23 defeat in 2019. Their most recent appearance ended in a heartbreaking 42-41 loss to Georgia in the 2022 Peach Bowl.

For Texas, this marks their first CFP appearance since the expansion to 12 teams. The Longhorns are seeking their first national championship since 2005, when they defeated USC in the Rose Bowl.

Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET, with live coverage on ESPN. The winner will face the victor of the Orange Bowl between Penn State and Notre Dame in the national championship game.