The winner goes on to play Notre Dame in the National Championship.
ARLINGTON, Texas — It doesn’t get much better than this.
The Ohio State Buckeyes are at their peak performance when it counts the most, and they’re on the brink of returning to the College Football Playoff National Championship.
If Ohio State can beat the Texas Longhorns Friday night, they will play the Notre Dame Fighting Irish on Jan. 20.
Follow live updates on the game:
Ohio State 14 – Texas 14 | 3rd quarter | 1:03
Ohio State faced another setback with a costly and avoidable penalty. This time, left guard Austin Siereveld’s unnecessary hit on a Texas player after the play resulted in Ohio State having to punt the ball, giving possession to Texas.
Ohio State 14 – Texas 14 | 3rd quarter | 3:12
Ohio State 14 – Texas 14 | 3rd quarter | 3:12
Texas showcased a commendable drive culminating in a touchdown. Jayden Blue found himself unmarked on a wheel route, outpacing Lathan Ransom to score a touchdown. The Buckeyes attempted a blitz but were ultimately outmaneuvered by Texas.
Ohio State 14 – Texas 7 | 3rd quarter | 13:04
And we have our first turnover of the game. Will Howard makes a bad throw to Jeremiah Smith and it gets picked. Texas ball.
Ohio State 14 – Texas 7 | 2nd quarter | :13
TREVEYON HENDERSON!!!! With under 30 seconds in the half, TreVeyon Henderson takes a pass for 75 yards. Ohio State back on top.
Ohio State 7 – Texas 7 | 2nd quarter | :29
And Texas does capitalize with under two minutes to go. Quinn Ewers finds running back Jaydon Blue for an 18-yard touchdown pass.
Ohio State 7 – Texas 0 | 2nd quarter | 2:00
Texas’ first sack of the game is a big one. Howard can’t find anyone open and Longhorn linebacker Anthony Will Jr. gets to the Ohio State QB.
Longhorns will have a chance to put up their first points of the game before the half ends.
Ohio State 7 – Texas 0 | 2nd quarter | 3:51
Defense holds strong again, partially due to a DeAndre Moore drop. Ohio State gets the ball with a little over three minutes left in the first half.
Ohio State 7 – Texas 0 | 2nd quarter | 5:22
The Buckeyes aren’t doing themselves any favors. Another penalty puts them in a bad third and long and they’re forced to punt.
Ohio State 7 – Texas 0 | 2nd quarter | 8:15
The Buckeye defense holds strong again, but Tuimoloau went into the medical tent after his ankle got rolled up on.
Ohio State 7 – Texas 0 | 2nd quarter | 9:52
Jeremiah Smith’s first catch of the game won’t count due to a holding penalty on Gee Scott. Buckeyes can’t convert a 3rd and 20 and they’re forced to punt.
Ohio State 7 – Texas 0 | 2nd quarter | 12:51
A person foul on Texas forces the Longhorns into a 3rd and 21. Texas can’t convert and is forced to punt again.Â
Ohio State already has three sacks (Tuimoloau, Cody Simon, Sonny Styles)
Ohio State 7 – Texas 0 | 1st quarter | 4:57
A J.T. Tuimoloau sack forces Texas to punt again. The Texas offense has had a couple of nice plays, but nothing significant so far.
Ohio State 7 – Texas 0 | 1st quarter | 11:42
BUCKEYES STRIKE FIRST. Wide receiver Emeka Egbuka with two catches and 30 yards on the drive. Quinshon Judkins rushes it in from 9 yards out.
Ohio State 0 – Texas 0 | 1st quarter | 11:42
Texas opts to go for it on fourth and third and Cody Simon with excellent pass coverage! Ohio State gets the ball on downs.
Ohio State won the coin toss and deferred. Texas gets the ball to start.
RELATED: No injury report released for Ohio State ahead of Cotton Bowl
What time is the Ohio State-Texas game?
Ohio State vs. Texas is scheduled to kick off at 7:30 p.m.
What channel will Ohio State-Texas be on?
The Ohio State-Texas game can be watched on ESPN. Chris Fowler will be doing the play-by-play with Kirk Herbstreit serving as an analyst. Holly Rowe will be reporting on the sidelines.
What radio station is the Ohio State-Texas game on?
The game can be heard on the radio in the Columbus area on 97.1 The Fan and throughout the statewide Ohio State Sports Network. Paul Keels, Jim Lachey and Clay Hall will describe the action with Skip Mosic producing and hosting.Â
Following the game, you can watch Ryan Day, assistant coaches and Ohio State players’ postgame interviews on 10TV+ or via the 10TV News mobile app.
What is the spread for Ohio State-Texas?
BetMGM College Football Odds: Ohio State is favored by 6 points over Texas.
Cotton Bowl 2025: Game Preview
The winner advances to the national championship game in the first year of the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff. Ohio State won the first title in the four-team format 10 years ago, clinching that with a victory over Oregon at AT&T Stadium, the home of the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys, which is where the Cotton Bowl is played. The Longhorns haven’t played for a national championship since the 2009 season, four years after last winning one. The Longhorns made the CFP for the first time last year, in its final Big 12 season before moving to the Southeastern Conference.
Key matchup
Texas cornerback Jahdae Barron vs. Ohio State receiver Jeremiah Smith. The 5-foot-11 Barron, a senior, was a first-team AP All-American and won the Thorpe Award as the nation’s top defensive back. He has been the leader of a hard-hitting, smothering Longhorns secondary. Smith, a 6-foot-3 freshman and second-team All-American, leads the Buckeyes with 70 catches for 1,224 yards and 14 touchdowns.
Players to watch
Ohio State: Running backs TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins each have 10 rushing touchdowns, and both have three in the playoffs. Henderson’s 925 yards rushing are only one more than Judkins.
Texas: Edge rusher Colin Simmons won the Shaun Alexander Award as the nation’s top freshman. The 18-year-old leads Texas with nine sacks behind a combination of speed and strength rare in such a young player in such a physical position.
