Why is Ohio State playing Texas in the Cotton Bowl for its CFP semifinal location? Here's what to know ahead of Friday's game vs. the Longhorns:

Texas and Ohio State's CFP matchup comes 20 years after the two programs' first ever matchup. Here's a look back to the 2005 game:

One of the mysteries of Friday’s Cotton Bowl has been solved: We finally know why Ohio State quarterback Will Howard’s hand swelled like a balloon. The

This has been a season unlike any other for Ryan Day emotionally. Less than two months ago, loud and influential media voices were calling for the firing of the nation’s winningest active coach in the wake of Ohio State’s fourth straight loss to Michigan.

One thing was apparent Friday night at Cotton Bowl: Something was wrong with the hand of Ohio State quarterback Will Howard. And it was gross. Howard was seen on the

No. 5 Texas is all ready to face No. 5 Ohio State in a snowy Arlington under the closed roof of the AT&T Stadium, for both teams' joy. Quinn Ewers and the Horns

Ohio State fans came out in full force at the Cotton Bowl, occupying nearly half of AT&T Stadium for the CFP semifinal matchup vs Texas:

A Buckeyes win would give the Big Ten back-to-back national champions for the first time since 1942, when the league was called the Western Conference. Paul Brown-coached Ohio State went 9-1 that year and was the third straight national champion from the conference. Voters crowned Minnesota in 1940 and ’41.

ARLINGTON, Texas — During the celebration following ... Joey Kaufman covers Ohio State football for The Columbus Dispatch. Follow him on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter,@joeyrkaufman ...

ARLINGTON, Texas — Quinshon Judkins ran for two touchdowns before Jack Sawyer forced a fumble by his former roommate that he returned 83 yards for a score with 2:13 left as Ohio State beat Texas 28-14 in the Cotton Bowl on Friday night to advance to a shot for their sixth national title.

ARLINGTON, Texas — As Jack Sawyer surged ... In a 28-14 win over Texas that pushed Ohio State into the College Football Playoff final, it was the senior defensive end who stepped up in the ...

It was unlike the other playoff games Ohio State had played so far this season. We didn’t see the early explosive plays on offense. We saw plenty of penalty