SportsLine's model simulated the Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Texas Longhorns 2025 College Football Playoff semifinal Cotton Bowl matchup on Friday 10,000 times

Here’s who’s on the call for ESPN’s broadcast of the College Football Playoff semifinals game between Ohio State and Texas.

The two other semifinalists, Notre Dame and Penn State, are traveling more than 1,200 miles each to the Orange Bowl this week. Ohio State and Penn State each traveled more than 2,200 to their quarterfinal. Texas’ 928-mile trip to Atlanta will be the furthest the Longhorns must go.

No. 8 Ohio State will play No. 5 Texas in the semifinals of the College Football Playoff. Here are bracket predictions for the matchup.

On the back end, Texas has allowed only eight passing scores this year and ranks No. 3 in pass defense success rate. All-American cornerback Jahdae Barron had a standout season with five interceptions and 11 pass breakups and is a key cog in the hopes of slowing down Ohio State receivers Jeremiah Smith and Emeka Egbuka.

Grading Ryan Day and the rest of the Buckeyes after Ohio State football's College Football Playoff semifinal game vs. Texas