Ohio State and Texas Prepare for Cotton Bowl

In the Cotton Bowl semifinal, the Ohio State Buckeyes lead the Texas Longhorns 14-7 at halftime, thanks in large part to a late touchdown pass. Although the Longhorns struggled offensively, their defense effectively shut down Ohio State for most of the first half after an initial touchdown drive. Ohio State's defense, led by coordinator Jim Knowles, has been pivotal this postseason, demonstrating a high sack rate and formidable performance against high-scoring teams like Oregon and Tennessee. Texas's offensive success hinges on their ability to establish the run game, which has struggled in recent outings. The matchup is crucial, as the winner will face Notre Dame in the national championship, intensifying the stakes for both teams. Players from both sides express confidence in their defensive strategies as they prepare for a second half that could determine their season's outcome.