Ohio State football vs. Texas score predictions: Can the Buckeyes continue its CFP dominance in the Cotton Bowl?

Posted by author January 9, 2025 Football

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DALLAS — Ohio State gets a chance to have a preview of its 2025 season-opener as it continues its run toward a national title when it plays Texas in the Cotton Bowl.

The Buckeyes needed a home win over Tennessee and used the Rose Bowl to avenge a loss to Oregon on its way to the College Football Playoff semifinal. The Longhorns knocked off Clemson at home then beat Arizona State in the Peach Bowl to stamp their ticket.

Now the two programs that will kick off the 2025 season against each other will face off for the first time since Texas won a Fiesta Bowl matchup, 24-21, to close out the 2008 season. OSU is 2-1 all-time in this series, hoping to even up the score on Friday night. Doing so will be reaching the National Championship Game for the second time of the Ryan Day era.

Ohio State is a 6.5-point favorite against Texas. Here’s how we predict the game to go.

Stephen Means

Ohio State 37, Texas 17

Ohio State might be the right combination of dominant and hot right now. It’s ran its competition off the field despite a no-so-easy path to do so. Texas on the other hand seems to be still looking to put its best performance together and its tests have been more about their inability to live up to the hype than what should’ve been true adversity.

That’s a bad combination heading into Friday.

Do I think the Longhorns have a good chance of putting up a better fight than the Volunteers or Ducks did? Yes. But just because you put up a better fight, doesn’t mean the end result won’t end up looking the same.

Game pick: Ohio State -6.5 (15 Buckeye Talk Tokens)

Over/under: Over 53.4 (1 BTT)

Record: 12-2

Against the spread: 9-5

Over/under record: 5-8-1

Tokens left: 138

Stefan Krajisnik

Ohio State 35, Texas 14

I think Texas is good. I think the Longhorns’ defense is exceptionally good. At this point, though, it’s hard to pick against Ohio State winning with ease.

The Buckeyes have been dominant throughout the College Football Playoff. Their perimeter players on offense are the best in the country, and their defense is playing at an unmatched level. Texas might keep the game close early, but at some point, Ohio State will go on a run to pull away.

Coach Ryan Day will walk out of Dallas needing one more win for a national title.

Game pick: Ohio State -6.5 (10 BTT)

Over/under: Under 53.4 (5 BTT)

Record: 12-2

Against the spread: 8-6

Over/under record: 5-8-1

Tokens left: 105

Andrew Gillis

Ohio State 27, Texas 17

This isn’t going to be like Ohio State’s previous two matchups — I don’t think.

The Buckeyes, once again, are set to face a team with a bevy of talent on both sides of the ball. And, for a third-straight week, they’re looking to dominate their opponent.

I think Texas has enough talent on defense to slow down, but not stop, Ohio State’s offense. That enough keeps the game close into the second half.

In the end, Ohio State has just too much firepower. I think we’re covering a national title win in just under two weeks, and that starts with a win over Texas.

Game pick: Ohio State -6.5 (5 BTT)

Over/under: Under 53.4 (5 BTT)

Record: 10-4

Against the spread: 6-7

Over/under record: 5-7-1

Tokens left: 55