2025 Cotton Bowl, Ohio State vs. Texas: Who has the edge in College Football Playoff semifinal game?

There’s always a lot on the line when Ohio State and Texas take the field, and Friday evening is no exception. The (8) Buckeyes and (5) Longhorns are set to face off in the Cotton Bowl, with a trip to the College Football Playoff National Championship on the line. 

This is just the fourth time that Ohio State and Texas will meet on the gridiron, and the first since 2009 when No. 3 Texas earned a 24-21 win against No. 10 Ohio State in the Fiesta Bowl. Naturally, given each team’s standing, there’s going to be a lot of talent on the field. 

Ohio State hasn’t been shy when touting its name, image and likeness capabilities. The Buckeyes went all in on 2024, ensuring that veteran players stuck around for another year and top transfers — like former Alabama star Caleb Downs — joined the fold to supplement any holes. Ohio State has finally played to its full potential in the College Football Playoff,  winning its first two games — including a Rose Bowl victory against top-seeded Oregon — by a combined score of 83-38. 

Texas made it to the SEC Championship Game in its first year with the conference and handled its first-round College Football Playoff game against Clemson with ease. But the Longhorns were pushed to two overtimes in a quarterfinal 39-31 win over Arizona State after blowing a 24-8 fourth-quarter lead. 

There’s no denying that Texas and Ohio State boast two of the top rosters in college football, but which one actually has the edge when analyzing specific positions? 

Quarterback 

Ohio State: Will Howard 

Texas: Quinn Ewers 

Ewers entered the year as a potential first-round pick, while many questioned whether Howard could live up to the high standard that Ohio State has established at the quarterback position in recent…

Source link : https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/2025-cotton-bowl-ohio-state-vs-texas-who-has-the-edge-in-college-football-playoff-semifinal-game/

Author : Will Backus

Publish date : 2025-01-09 15:53:00

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