Texas vs. Ohio State: Battle for the Cotton Bowl
The No. 5 seed Texas Longhorns (13-2) will square off against the No. 8 seed Ohio State Buckeyes (12-2) in the 2025 College Football Playoff semifinals on Friday in the Cotton Bowl. The Buckeyes knocked off top-seeded Oregon, 41-21, in the Rose Bowl, while the Longhorns defeated No. 4 Arizona State, 39-31, in double-overtime in the Peach Bowl to advance to the semifinals.
Kickoff at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas is set for Friday at 7:30 p.m. ET. Ohio State is a 6-point favorite in the latest Texas vs. Ohio State odds from SportsLine consensus, while the over/under for total points scored is 52.5. The winner of this game will face Notre Dame in the CFP National Championship Game on Jan. 20.
How Did Both Teams Get Here?
Ohio State has made waves this postseason, using hot starts to show dominance. The Buckeyes have outscored their opponents, 35-0, in the opening quarter of the College Football Playoff thus far. They boast an impressive scoring average of 39.4 points per game over their last five outings.
On the other hand, Texas has displayed resilience, rebounding from a tough overtime loss to Georgia in the SEC Championship Game. Their offensive efficiency returned in playoff games, with consistent scoring above 38 points each game leading up to the semifinals.
Key Matchup: Ewers vs. Ohio State Defense
The Longhorns will rely heavily on quarterback Quinn Ewers, who has proven his worth this season. However, he faces a significant challenge against Ohio State’s elite defense, ranked No. 1 in scoring, allowing just 12.1 points per game.
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Predictions Ahead of the Big Game
Experts are divided on the outcome. Some predict a close game, while others lean heavily in favor of the Buckeyes given their recent playoff performances. It will all come down to how Texas’ offense fares against Ohio State’s formidable defense.
As the match approaches, fans are eager to see if Texas can continue their playoff momentum or if Ohio State will assert its dominance one more time.
