The first year of the 12-team College Football Playoff has presented some good matchups. Here is the 2025 Cotton Bowl Preview.
Ohio State Buckeyes (12-2)
Ohio State won 10 games to be selected as an at-large team for the CFP. They defeated six bowl-eligible teams this season: Western Michigan, Marshall, Iowa, Nebraska, Penn State and Indiana. Both of their losses, Oregon and Michigan, were to teams that went over .500. They defeated Tennessee, 42-17, in the CFP first round. In the second round, they defeated Oregon 41-21.
The Buckeyes score 37.8 points per game, ranking eighth in the country. They pass for 259.2 yards (ranked 35th) and rush for 168.2 yards per game (ranked 60th).
Kansas State transfer Will Howard started at quarterback for the Buckeyes this season. He has passed for 3,490 yards, 32 touchdowns and nine interceptions on 72.6 percent completion. Three receivers have over 500 yards on the season in Jeremiah Smith, Emeka Egbuka and Carnell Tate. Smith leads the team as a freshman with 1,224 yards and 14 touchdowns.
Two running backs make quite the tandem for the Buckeyes. Quinshon Judkins has been good with 924 yards and 10 touchdowns. TreVeyon Henderson has helped the team have more life in the playoffs. On the year, he has 925 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns. Howard is a threat to find the end zone on the ground and has seven rushing touchdowns this season.
The Buckeyes have a stout defense that is the best in the country, allowing 12.1 points per game. They allow 92.6 rushing yards and 152.4 passing yards per game. Sonny Styles and Cody Simon have led the team in tackles with 85 and 97 a piece. JT Tuimoloau paces the team with 10 sacks. Davison Igbinosun has been aggressive in the secondary with nine passes defended and two interceptions.
Texas Longhorns (13-2)
Texas won 11 games and made the SEC Championship to get selected as an at-large team for the CFP. They defeated eight bowl-eligible teams this regular season: Colorado State, Michigan, UTSA, Oklahoma, Vanderbilt, Florida, Arkansas and Texas A&M. Both of their losses came to Georgia, who is also in the CFP field. In the first round, they defeated Clemson, 38-24. They defeated Arizona State 39-31 in the second round.
The Longhorns score 34.3 points per game, ranking 15th in the country. They pass for 278.4 yards (ranked 13th) and rush for 165.6 yards per game (ranked 54th)
Quinn Ewers has been the starting quarterback for the Longhorns, while Arch Manning has also played. Ewers has passed for 3,189 yards, 29 touchdowns and 11 interceptions on 66.5 percent completion. Manning has tallied 939 passing yards, nine touchdowns and two interceptions on 67.8 percent completion. Eight players have at least 200 receiving yards on the season. Matthew Golden has led the team with 96 yards and nine touchdowns. Tight end Gunnar Helm and Isaiah Bond have also been impressive with 744 and 532 receiving yards respectively.
Three running backs have contributed in a large way for the Longhorns this season. Quintrevion Wisner, Jaydon Blue and Jerrick Gibson have 1,018, 714 and 377 rushing yards a piece. Texas has used Manning as a runner as well and he has 100 rushing yards on the season.
The defense allows 14.5 points per game, ranking third in the FBS. The Longhorns give up 111.8 rushing yards and 166.1 passing yards per game. Linebacker Anthony Hill has been a playmaker who has racked up 107 tackles. Colin Simmons leads the team with nine sacks, with Hill right behind him at 7.5. Jahdae Barron has been one of the best defensive backs in the country with 11 passes defended and five interceptions.
Prediction
Texas has looked sloppy in their last few games. With the offense not clicking, they could find it hard to keep up with Ohio State. The Buckeyes are firing on all cylinders. If they come out with a similar game plan to the previous two rounds, which includes attacking downfield with their talented receivers, the Buckeyes can win this game and beat anyone in the country.
Ohio State Buckeyes 31 Texas Longhorns 21
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