Ohio State, Texas to Clash in 2025 Cotton Bowl Playoff Semifinal
Published on January 01, 2025
By Cotton Bowl Classic Communications
The 2025 College Football Playoff Semifinal at the 89th Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic is set with eighth-seeded Ohio State (12-2, 7-2 Big Ten Conference) taking on fifth-seeded Texas (13-2, 7-1 Southeastern Conference) on Friday, Jan. 10 at AT&T Stadium. Game time is 6:30 p.m. CT on ESPN and ESPN Radio.
The Buckeyes advance to the 89th Classic on the heels of their 41-21 triumph over top-seeded Oregon in the 2025 CFP Quarterfinal at the Rose Bowl Game presented by Prudential. The Longhorns return to the Classic following their 39-31 double-overtime victory over fourth-seeded Arizona State in the 2025 CFP Quarterfinal at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl.
Ohio State returns to the Cotton Bowl Classic for the second straight season and fourth time overall (2-1 record) with its last appearance coming against Missouri in the 88th edition on Dec. 29, 2023. Texas has played in the Classic more than any other program, back for its 23rd appearance (11-10-1 record) with its last coming in a 35-20 win over LSU in the 67th edition on Jan. 1, 2003.
The Buckeyes and Longhorns are meeting on the gridiron for the fourth time with Texas holding a 2-1 series advantage. Their last meeting came in a 24-21 Texas victory in the Fiesta Bowl on Jan. 5, 2009.
The Jan. 10 game date for this season's Cotton Bowl Classic marks its latest game date, three days later than the 75th edition between LSU and Texas A&M on Jan. 7, 2011. The Classic is scheduled for a primetime kickoff for the second year in a row.
The Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic is hosting a CFP Semifinal for the fourth time (80th in 2015, 83rd in 2018, 86th in 2021 and 89th in 2025) and is the final game to be played before the CFP National Championship on Monday, Jan. 20 in Atlanta. AT&T Stadium hosting its fifth CFP Semifinal having played host to the 107th Rose Bowl Game, which was a 2021 CFP Semifinal matchup between Alabama and Notre Dame. The 2025 CFP Semifinal at the 89th Classic is the 16th Cotton Bowl Classic to be played at AT&T Stadium.