No. 8 seeded Ohio State football battles No. 5 seeded Texas in the 2025 College Football Playoff Cotton Bowl Classic semifinal. The Buckeyes are coming off a 41-21 victory over Oregon, while Texas recovers from a close 39-31 double overtime win against Arizona State.

Deep in the heart of Texas, the Buckeyes had to fight, scratch and claw through enemy territory on their way to the national title game.

ARLINGTON, Texas - The Ohio State Buckeyes defeated the Texas Longhorns 28-14 in the Cotton Bowl Classic on Friday night. Ohio State will go on to play Notre Dame in the national championship later this month. Ohio State answered first in the fourth quarter. They took the lead 21-14 with less than eight minutes left in the game.