The semifinals of the first-ever 12-team College Football Playoff continue on Friday with a marquee showdown in the Cotton Bowl between (5) Texas and (8) Ohio State. The winner of this game will face either (6) Penn State) or (7) Notre Dame in the national title game on Jan.

Would the real Longhorn defense please stand up? Can Texas finish both drives and the game strong? Or will Ohio State simply continue bulldozing its postseason opponents?

Eric Cohen revealed his College Football Playoff semifinal picks for Texas Longhorns vs. Ohio State Buckeyes in the 2025 Cotton Bowl on Friday

No. 8 Ohio State will play No. 5 Texas in the semifinals of the College Football Playoff. Here are bracket predictions for the matchup.

The Buckeyes and Longhorns square off in the Cotton Bowl to see who will play in the national championship game

The No. 8 Ohio State Buckeyes will square off against the No. 5 Texas Longhorns in a College Football Playoff national semifinal at the Cotton Bowl today. This game is available to watch on multiple streaming services for free.

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.

On the back end, Texas has allowed only eight passing scores this year and ranks No. 3 in pass defense success rate. All-American cornerback Jahdae Barron had a standout season with five interceptions and 11 pass breakups and is a key cog in the hopes of slowing down Ohio State receivers Jeremiah Smith and Emeka Egbuka.

Ohio State takes on Texas in the Cotton Bowl, which serves as a semifinal in the College Football Playoff. The Buckeyes are favored.