The Cotton Bowl marks the second semifinal in the new-look College Football Playoff.
The winner will take on Notre Dame in the national final on Jan. 20 in Atlanta after the Fighting Irish edged Penn State in a thrilling Orange Bowl on Thursday.
Here's a look at Friday's game, along with the line (as of Thursday) from BetMGM.
No. 8 Ohio State (12-2) vs. No. 5 Texas (13-2) in Cotton Bowl in Arlington, Texas, Friday, 7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m PT
After a disastrous loss to arch-rival Michigan at Ohio Stadium in its regular-season finale, Ohio State has bounced back in a big way. The Buckeyes blasted Tennessee 42-17 in the first round of the CFP before crushing previously unbeaten Oregon 41-21 in the Rose Bowl.
Texas has had a tougher time. The Longhorns blew a two-score fourth-quarter lead before beating underdog Arizona State 39-31 in double overtime in the Peach Bowl last week. That followed a 38-24 triumph over Clemson in the first round.
Recent history
Texas has improved every year since Steve Sarkisian took over in 2021. Last year, the Longhorns lost to Washington in a national semifinal. The Longhorns' last national title came in 2005 with Vince Young at QB.
Ohio State is in the playoff for the fourth time under Ryan Day since he took over as coach in 2019, but he hasn't lifted the championship title yet. A Joey Bosa-led Buckeyes squad captured Ohio State's last national title in 2014.
The quarterbacks
Ohio State's Will Howard transferred from Kansas State after four seasons. He threw for 319 yards and three touchdowns against Oregon.
Texas junior Quinn Ewers is expected to declare for the NFL Draft and figures to be a top-five QB. He was excellent down the stretch against Arizona State, finishing with 322 passing yards, three touchdowns and one interception.
Players to watch
Ohio State freshman receiver Jeremiah Smith might be the first pick in this year's NFL Draft if he was eligible. He has 13 catches for 290 yards and four touchdowns in two CFP games.
Texas junior receiver Matthew Golden had seven catches for 149 yards and two touchdowns against Arizona State. He averages 16.7 yards per catch.
Key matchup
The Longhorns' third-ranked pass defence against Howard, Smith and the Ohio State passing attack. Jahdae Barron of Texas won the Jim Thorpe Award this year as the top defensive back in college football.
BetMGM line
Ohio State is a six-point favourite.
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