How to watch Texas vs. Ohio State in CFP Semifinals – NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth

The inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff featured non-neutral games only in the first round.

But Texas could have some kind of home court advantage in the semifinals.

With a national championship game berth on the line, the No. 5-seeded Longhorns meeting the no. 8-seeded Ohio State Buckeyes in the 2025 Cotton Bowl this week. And the CFP semifinals will take place at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, about 200 miles north of the Longhorns’ Austin campus.

The 13-2 Longhorns nearly saw their season end in the quarterfinals on a late-game collapse. After crossing the no. 12-seeded Clemson Tigers 38-24 in Round 1, Steve Sarkisian’s team held a 24-8 lead in the fourth quarter over the No. 4-seeded Arizona State Sun Devils in the Peach Bowl. But Arizona State scored 16 points late in regulation to force overtime, then took the lead with a touchdown on the opening possession of OT.

However, Texas came up with a season-saving answer. Quarterback Quinn Ewers threw back-to-back touchdowns of 25-plus yards as the Longhorns escaped with a 39-31 double-OT victory. The first of those OT scores was caught by wideout Matthew Golden, who had seven receptions for 149 yards. Ewers passed for 322 passing yards, three touchdowns and a pick while also rushing for a score.

The 12-2 Buckeyes, on the other hand, got past the quarter-finals without much sweat – and that despite the fact that they were up against the previously undefeated no. 1 seed. Ryan Day’s team followed up its 42-17 rout of the No. 9-seeded Tennessee Volunteers with a 41-21 blowout of top-seeded Oregon in the Rose Bowl, ending the Ducks’ bid for a perfect championship season.

Quarterback Will Howard threw all three of his touchdown passes in the first half as Ohio State jumped out to a stunning 34-0 lead. Wideout Jeremiah Smith caught two of those TDs as part of a seven-catch, 187-yard performance, while running back TreVeyon Henderson also found the end zone twice in the win. The Buckeyes’ defense No. 1 sacked Heisman Trophy finalist Dillon Gabriel eight times and held the Ducks to 276 total yards.

Like the two teams in the Orange Bowl, Ohio State and Texas boast two of the best defenses in the country. The Buckeyes arguably have the top defensive unit, ranking first in points allowed (12.1 per game), first against the pass (152.4 yards per game) and fifth against the rush (92.2 yards per game). The Longhorns, meanwhile, are fourth in points allowed (14.5 per game), third against the pass (166.1 yards per game) and tied for 14th against the rush (111.8 yards per game).

So will the Buckeyes keep their pursuit of another CFP title alive? Or will the Longhorns take another step toward their first national championship in the CFP era?

How to watch Texas vs. Ohio State Cotton Bowl:

When is the Texas vs Ohio State Cotton Bowl?

The Longhorns and Buckeyes will meet on Friday, January 10.

When does Texas vs. Ohio State Cotton Bowl?

The Cotton Bowl is scheduled for 7:30 PM ET/6:30 PM CT/4:30 PM PT.

Where is Texas vs. Ohio State Cotton Bowl?

AT&T Stadium, home of the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys, in Arlington, Texas, will host the Cotton Bowl.

What TV channel is the Texas vs Ohio State Cotton Bowl on?

Texas-Ohio State airs on ESPN.

How to stream Texas vs Ohio State Cotton Bowl live online

The CFP semifinals will also be streamed live ESPN.com and that ESPN app.

How many Cotton Bowls has Texas, Ohio State played in?

The Longhorns will play in the Cotton Bowl for a record 23rd time, but this will be their first appearance since winning the game in 2003.

The Buckeyes will appear in the Cotton Bowl for the second year in a row and fourth time overall.

CNBC reporter Michael Ozanian explains the analysis behind CNBC’s list of the 75 most valuable college athletic programs.

How many Cotton Bowls have Texas, Ohio State won?

Texas owns an 11-10-1 record in the Cotton Bowl.

Ohio State lost 14-3 to Missouri last season, bringing their Cotton Bowl record to 1-2.

How many national football championships has Texas, Ohio State won?

The Longhorns have won four national titles, with their most recent coming in the BCS era. Texas was crowned champions in 2005 after beating USC in the national championship game.

The Buckeyes are among a select group of teams to own a CFP title and won the first playoff of the 2014 season for their eighth national title. Ohio State also boasts a BCS national title from the 2002 season.

Who will play the winner of Texas vs. Ohio State next?

Cotton Bowl winner meets Orange Bowl winner — No. 6-seeded Penn State vs no. The 7 seed Notre Dame — in the national championship game.

When is the CFP National Championship Game?

The CFP concludes with the national title game on Monday, January 20.

Where is the CFP National Championship game played?

The national championship game will be played at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, home of the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons.

Mercedes-Benz Stadium was also the site of this season’s Peach Bowl quarterfinals.