The 2024-25 College Football Playoff continues with a semifinal matchup on Friday, Jan. 10, as Ohio State and Texas meet in the Cotton Bowl for a trip to the national championship. This game takes place at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. This is the fourth all-time meeting between the Buckeyes and Longhorns on the gridiron. Texas holds a 2-1 series edge over Ohio State. These two teams last met in the ’09 Fiesta Bowl. Also, in an odd scheduling twist, the Buckeyes and Longhorns are scheduled to meet in next year’s season opener on Aug. 30.
Texas is back in the semifinals of the College Football Playoff for the second year in a row. And after falling just short against Washington last season, the Longhorns have their sights set on a win and a chance to play for the title on Jan. 20 in Atlanta. Coach Steve Sarkisian’s squad went 11-2 in the regular season, with its only losses coming to Georgia. After a 38-24 win over Clemson in the first round, the Longhorns needed overtime to beat Arizona State 39-31 in the Peach Bowl to book a trip to Arlington on Friday night.
Ohio State entered the College Football Playoff as the biggest wild-card team. Although the Buckeyes were arguably one of – if the not the No. 1 – most-talented roster in the nation, a 13-10 loss to Michigan on Nov. 30 loomed over this team entering the postseason. Although there were plenty of doubts on whether or not Ohio State could shake off that defeat, coach Ryan Day’s squad has found a different gear in the postseason. The Buckeyes crushed Tennessee 42-17 in the first round and defeated Oregon 41-21 last Wednesday in the Rose Bowl. Of the four teams remaining the playoff, Ohio State is clearly playing the best ball entering the semifinal matchups…