The first 12-team College Football Playoff featured first-round games at non-neutral sites only.

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

With a spot in a national championship game on the line, the No. 5 seed Longhorns face the No. 8 seed 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 ended their season in the quarterfinals when they collapsed late in the game. After defeating the No. 12 seed Clemson Tigers 38-24 in Round 1, Steve Sarkisian’s team held a 24-8 fourth-quarter lead over the No. 4 seed 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 first possession of OT.

However, Texas has a season-saving answer. Quarterback Quinn Ewers threw consecutive touchdowns of more than 25 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 yards, three touchdowns and a pick and rushed for a score.

The 12-2 Buckeyes, on the other hand, survived the quarterfinals without any major problems – even though they were playing against the previously undefeated number 1. Ryan Day’s team defeated the No. 9 seed Tennessee Volunteers 42-17 in the Rose Bowl and top-seeded Oregon 41-21, ending the Ducks’ hopes of a perfect championship season.

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

Just like the two teams in the Orange Bowl, Ohio State and Texas have two of the best defenses in the country. The Buckeyes probably did The Top defensive unit that ranks 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, rank fourth in points allowed (14.5 per game), third against the pass (166.1 yards per game) and 14th against rush (111.8 yards per game). Game).

So will the Buckeyes keep their quest for a second CFP title alive? Or will the Longhorns take another step toward their first national championship in the CFP era?

Here’s how to watch the Cotton Bowl between Texas and Ohio State:

When is the Texas vs. Ohio State Cotton Bowl?

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

When does the Texas vs. Ohio State Cotton Bowl begin?

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

Where is the Texas vs. Ohio State Cotton Bowl?

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

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

Texas-Ohio State airs on ESPN.

How to stream the Texas vs. Ohio State Cotton Bowl live online

The CFP semifinals will also be broadcast live on ESPN.com and the ESPN app.

How many Cotton Bowls have 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 in 2003.

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

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

How many Cotton Bowls have Texas, Ohio State won?

Texas holds a record of 11-10-1 in the Cotton Bowl.

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

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

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

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

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

The Cotton Bowl winners will face the No. 7 seed Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the national championship game. Notre Dame earned a 27-24 victory over the No. 6 seed Penn State Nittany Lions in the Orange Bowl.

When is the CFP national championship game?

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

Where will the CFP national championship game be played?

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

Mercedes-Benz Stadium also hosted the quarterfinals of the Peach Bowl this season.