Two of the most historic programs in college football battle in the 2025 Cotton Bowl as 5-seed Texas plays 8-seed Ohio State with a trip to the College Football Playoff National Championship on the line.
Ohio State lost two games in the regular season but has looked nearly invincible through two CFP games. The Buckeyes crushed Tennessee by 25 points in the opening round and eviscerated undefeated 1-seed Oregon 41-21 in perhaps the most impressive performance of the playoff. The Longhorns, meanwhile, got past 12-seed Clemson in the first round before outlasting 4-seed Arizona State in double overtime to reach the semis.
Texas and Ohio State have played only three times in history, and all three featured teams that went on to make national championship games in the same calendar year. In the most recent battle, Texas beat Ohio State 24-21 in the 2009 Fiesta Bowl behind 171 yards and two touchdowns from receiver Quan Cosby.
Texas vs. Ohio State: Need to know
Gamebreaking wide receiver: Ohio State freshman Jeremiah Smith was the first No. 1 overall receiver recruit since 2012, and he has already exceeded his lofty expectations. In two playoff games, Smith has posted an absurd 13 catches for 290 yards and four touchdowns against highly ranked secondaries. Texas has perhaps the best secondary group in the country, headlined by Thorpe Award winning nickel Jahdae Barron, but they have yet to face a receiver the caliber of Smith.
Incredible defenses: Steve Sarkisian and Ryan Day are offensive-minded coaches. Penn State and Notre Dame are known for defense. Don't get confused, though -- the Cotton Bowl is a battle of the two top defenses in college football. Ohio State and Texas both rank top-three nationally in total defense, yards per play defense and passing defense while pushing only to top four in scoring defense. Notre Dame and Penn State don't rank as high in any. Even if both teams find some scoring opportunities, it will be a tremendous battle.
Rushing issues: For all the talk about quarterback Quinn Ewers, the Texas offense goes with its running game. In 13 wins, Texas averages 4.8 yards per carry. In two losses, they fell to 1.1 yards per carry. Even against Arizona State, a mid-tier rush defense, the Longhorns mustered only 30 carries for 53 yards. Ohio State held a talented Oregon rushing offense to -23 yards. The matchup could turn into a nightmare.
How to watch Cotton Bowl live
Date: Friday, Jan. 10 | Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Location: AT&T Stadium -- Arlington, Texas
TV: ESPN | Live stream: Fubo (Try for free)
Cotton Bowl prediction, picks
Texas has put together a solid season and is surely one of the best teams in the country. But if Ohio State's transformation over the last two weeks is permanent, the Buckeyes are the best team in the country. The Longhorns will be able to cause problems for Ohio State's passing game, but their offense simply won't be able to put up points in a battle of two elite defense. The Buckeyes will outlast the 'Horns and move on to the CFP National Championship. Pick: Ohio State -5.5
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