Ohio State and Texas Clash in CFP Cotton Bowl Semifinal

ARLINGTON, Texas — One spot in the College Football Playoff (CFP) national championship has been secured, and another will be decided Friday as No. 8 Ohio State and No. 5 Texas face off in the Cotton Bowl semifinal at AT&T Stadium. The winner will advance to face No. 7 Notre Dame in the championship game on Jan. 20 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

This marks the first meeting between Ohio State and Texas since the 2009 Fiesta Bowl. Ohio State, led by head coach Ryan Day, secured their spot in the semifinal after defeating No. 9 Tennessee and No. 1 Oregon in earlier rounds. Star freshman wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. had a standout performance in the Rose Bowl, racking up 187 receiving yards and two touchdowns.

Texas, under head coach Steve Sarkisian, earned their semifinal berth with victories over No. 12 Clemson and No. 4 Arizona State. Quarterback Quinn Ewers, a former Ohio State recruit, delivered a game-winning 25-yard touchdown pass in overtime during the Peach Bowl to secure the Longhorns’ spot in the Cotton Bowl.

Ewers, who began his collegiate career at Ohio State before transferring to Texas, reflected on his journey ahead of the game. “I don’t regret any decision I’ve made,” Ewers said. “The reason I came back to Texas was to be closer to home and the resources I have.”

Ohio State is seeking its third appearance in the national championship since the CFP began in 2014, while Texas aims for its first CFP title. The Buckeyes hold a 2-1 record in Cotton Bowl appearances, while Texas boasts a storied history with 23 Cotton Bowl appearances, the most by any program.

Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET, with ESPN broadcasting the game. Chris Fowler and Kirk Herbstreit will provide commentary, while Holly Rowe and Laura Rutledge report from the sidelines. The game will also be available for streaming on the ESPN app and fuboTV.

Weather conditions in Arlington are expected to be chilly but manageable, with temperatures around 36 degrees at kickoff. However, the enclosed AT&T Stadium ensures the game will proceed unaffected by the elements.

As the teams prepare for the high-stakes matchup, all eyes will be on Ewers and his former team, Ohio State, as they battle for a chance to compete for the national title.