In the second playoff semifinal of the 2025 College Football Playoff, the No. 5 Texas Longhorns will take on the No. 8 Ohio State Buckeyes on Friday evening in the Cotton Bowl. 

The Buckeyes have looked dominant through the first two rounds of the playoff, beating Tennessee and No. 1 Oregon by a combined score of 83-38. Texas handled Clemson, 38-24, at home in the first round but had a much more eventful second-round game. The Longhorns had to hold survive a late fourth-quarter rally from Arizona State, but prevailed 39-31 in double overtime. 

You can’t talk about Ohio State without mentioning how quickly head coach Ryan Day was able to turn around the narrative in Columbus. After a fourth-straight loss to rival Michigan, the conversation surrounding Day and the Buckeyes was bleak in late November. There were legitimate questions surrounding Day’s job security and ability to win big games. The fact that Ohio State spent $20 million on its roster with only a loss to Michigan for a fourth straight season to show for it was glaring.

STREAM: Watch Texas vs. Ohio State live with Fubo (free trial)

But in the last two games, the Buckeyes have been sensational. Buckeye quarterback Will Howard has thrown for over 600 yards, five touchdowns and just one interception in his last two games. True freshman receiver Jeremiah Smith has looked uncoverable, hauling in 13 catches for 190 yards and four touchdowns over the last two weeks. 

Ohio State’s defense held the Ducks’ high-powered offense, that was averaging 35.9 points per game, to just three touchdowns. The unit, led by linebacker Cody Simon, ranks first overall in ESPN’s SP+ rankings.  

Texas, meanwhile, hasn’t looked quite as impressive, but the Longhorns have still done enough to advance this far. Although quarterback Quinn Ewers has thrown an interception in each of his last two games, he’s also had some clutch moments. 

Perhaps the biggest came against ASU. With his offense facing a 4th-and-13 in overtime, he hit Matthew Golden for a 28-yard touchdown to tie the game. In the second overtime, he hit Gunnar Helm on the very first play for a 25-yard touchdown. In his last two games he’s thrown for a combined 524 yards with five total touchdowns. 

On the one hand, Ohio State has looked like an indomitable team in all three phases over the last two weeks. While Texas hasn’t looked perfect, the Longhorns have still responded in big moments when they have to. The Buckeyes are six-point favorites heading into the matchup. 

The Sporting News is tracking live scoring updates and highlights from Texas vs. Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl. Follow below for complete results from the 2025 College Football Playoff semifinals.

Texas vs. Ohio State live score

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Texas vs. Ohio State highlights from 2025 College Football Playoff semifinals

(All times ET) 

6:55 p.m. — We are just under an hour until kickoff! Can’t wait to get this one started. 

6:30 p.m. — Former Dallas Cowboys running back Emmitt Smith is in the house tonight: 

A certain former Cowboy here at Jerry World. pic.twitter.com/wJLt2UeFJ3

— Stewart Mandel (@slmandel) January 10, 2025

6:28 p.m. — A nice moment from Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian pre-game, as he Facetimes his parents before every game: 

Coach Sark FaceTimes his parents before every game 🧡 @TexasFootball pic.twitter.com/NnqNRv22Yl

— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) January 10, 2025

5:48 p.m. — Fans have already started making their way into the stadium: 

Fans have started filtering into AT&T Stadium for the Cotton Bowl pic.twitter.com/hLoFAtjkDR

— Paul Finebaum (@finebaum) January 10, 2025

5:25 p.m. — As a good chunk of the United States is dealing with snow today, it’s a good thing this game is being played indoors. No weather for this one to keep an eye out for:  

The sun is out, the roads are clear, and it’s going to be a beautiful night to watch football indoors. I believe this feed will be the only place to get coverage of the game, so stay tuned. pic.twitter.com/W0vs7hWCzr

— Zach Barnett (@zach_barnett) January 10, 2025

5:00 p.m. — Happy Gameday to all! We’re just over two and a half hours from kickoff here. Should be a great game between two programs with a ton of history. 

“Leave no doubt.” “Tough all day.”

Both Ohio State and Texas are looking to move one step closer to writing their names in the history books 🏆

🎤 @Common pic.twitter.com/92cd4b2lxh

— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) January 10, 2025

Texas vs. Ohio State start time

• Day: January 10, 2025
• Time: 7:30 p.m. ET

Texas and Ohio State will face off in the CFP at 7:30 p.m. ET on Friday evening. The semifinal playoff matchup will be at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. 

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How to watch Texas vs. Ohio State in Cotton Bowl

• TV Channel: ESPN
• Streaming: ESPN+, Fubo

Friday’s CFP matchup between Texas and Ohio State will be broadcast on ESPN. Chris Fowler and Kirk Herbstreit will be on the call with Holly Rowe and Laura Rutledge as sideline reporters.

Streaming options include ESPN+ or Fubo, which offers a free trial to new users.

College Football Playoff schedule 2025

Thursday, Jan. 9

Friday, Jan. 10

Monday, Jan. 20