Texas Faces Ohio State in Cotton Bowl Playoff

The Cotton Bowl semifinal features No. 6 Ohio State and No. 4 Texas, both vying for a spot in the national championship game. Ohio State, with a strong playoff performance including significant wins over Tennessee and Oregon, boasts a powerful offense led by quarterback Will Howard and freshman receiver Jeremiah Smith. Texas, fresh off a victory over Arizona State, counters with a formidable defense featuring standout players Jahdae Barron and Colin Simmons. Both teams rank highly in defensive statistics, making the matchup intriguing as they clash on offense and defense. Weather conditions are not expected to affect the game, as it will be held indoors at AT&T Stadium. The winner will advance to face either Penn State or Notre Dame in the championship.