GRAPEVINE, Texas — The Texas Longhorns are gearing up for their crucial matchup against Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl, marking their 16th game of the season. After battling through the Southeastern Conference championship and navigating an extended College Football Playoff, Texas is looking to return to a spot they occupied last year. Fortunately, the team only had a short flight from their campus to North Texas, making the trip more convenient for this semifinal showdown scheduled for Friday night.
“All people dream of playing in the postseason, and we really appreciate the chance to still be in the hunt for a championship, especially so close to Austin,” remarked All-America cornerback Jahdae Barron upon the team’s arrival. Both Texas (13-2) and Ohio State (12-2) made it to the Dallas region just in time to avoid a forecasted winter storm expected to bring significant snowfall, ice, and rain.
The game will be held indoors at AT&T Stadium, which is home to the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys. As a result, weather conditions will not affect the competition that will ultimately decide who advances to the national championship. Meanwhile, Penn State and Notre Dame are set to face off in another semifinal game on Thursday at the Orange Bowl.
“It’s freezing back home,” said Ohio State cornerback Jordan Hancock, sharing a laugh about the warmer temperatures in Texas compared to the chilly 24-degree weather in Columbus. “I was surprised — it feels pretty nice here!”
This contest signifies much more for the Buckeyes compared to last year’s Cotton Bowl appearance. In their previous showing, Ohio State faced a significant setback, coming off a loss to Michigan that not only eliminated them from Big Ten title contention but also the college playoff bracket. This year, Ohio State enters the playoffs as the eighth seed after defeating Tennessee in the first round and avenging their earlier loss by defeating the previously undefeated and top-seeded Oregon in the Rose Bowl on New Year’s Day.
The Longhorns, seeded fifth in the playoff, are making their second playoff appearance this season in their home state. They secured victories over Clemson and Big 12 champion Arizona State in their earlier playoff outings. Last season, Texas claimed the Big 12 championship at AT&T Stadium, only to stumble against Washington in the semifinals with a score of 37-31.
Reflecting on that previous loss, Longhorns quarterback Quinn Ewers openly expressed his desire to be back in this position, noting, “It definitely wasn’t enjoyable. I knew this was where I wanted to be … right here, right now.”
A large portion of the Texas squad has experience from that Big 12 title clash, and many also boast backgrounds in Texas high school championship games often played at the same venue. For linebacker Anthony Hill Jr., who hails from Denton, the familiarity is an advantage. “I feel right at home playing in this stadium,” Hill Jr. stated.
Ewers, who lost a title game in this stadium during his high school years, quickly transitioned from a brief stint at Ohio State to the Longhorns, now looking to face his former team for a chance to compete in the national championship set for January 20 in Atlanta. “This feels like a full-circle moment,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Buckeyes are also reaching a milestone with their 15th game — an achievement they have only matched once before during their championship-winning season a decade ago. Receiver Emeke Egbuka described this journey as a significant challenge that has brought the team closer together. “We’ve gained a deeper understanding of ourselves as individuals and as a unit,” Egbuka stated, emphasizing the strength and focus of the team as they approach the critical matchup.
