Who is favored to win the Cotton Bowl 2025? Head-to-head, records and more

In the Cotton Bowl, No. 8-seeded Ohio State (12-2) and No. 5 Texas (13-2) will clash over seven months earlier than originally planned. The two college gridiron blue bloods were already scheduled to open the 2025 season against one another, a game that will now give the loser of this contest a chance for revenge.

The winner, however, can make reservations for Atlanta to play either Penn State or Notre Dame in the College Football Playoff national title game. Both crews would obviously prefer the latter option.

Who is favored to win the Cotton Bowl 2025?

Unsurprisingly, Ohio State is viewed as the Cotton Bowl's favorite, by 5.5 points, according to FanDuel Sportsbook. The Buckeyes also sport -220 odds on the moneyline.

Ohio State has been on a rampage since its disappointing loss to arch rival Michigan — its fourth straight defeat in that series. Since then, the Buckeyes have jumped on Tennessee and Oregon early in dominating College Football Playoff victories. Ohio State got out to 21-0 and 34-0 leads against the Volunteers and Ducks, respectively.

Texas, on the other hand, beat Clemson, then had some trouble with Cam Skattebo and Arizona State in the Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl quarterfinal. Despite pushing their advantage to 16 points with 10 minutes, 17 seconds to play, the Longhorns allowed the underdog Sun Devils back into it and were actually down to their last play in the initial overtime.

Worth noting, for this one, Texas doesn't have to travel nearly as far to Arlington — about 200 miles — as the Buckeyes do.

Who is calling the Cotton Bowl?

The announcing pair for the Cotton Bowl will be the same as it was in Ohio State's win in the Rose Bowl. Chris Fowler will be on the call, while former Buckeyes quarterback Kirk Herbstreit will be the analyst alongside him. The duo serves as ESPN's flagship game-callers.

Where is Ohio State practicing for the Cotton Bowl?

Ohio State has not yet arrived in the Dallas area for practices. When they played at the Cotton Bowl last season, the Buckeyes were able to practice at AT&T Stadium. Normally, they practice at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center in Columbus.

Ohio State vs Texas Head-to-head

Though the powerhouses are both storied, this will be just the fourth time the Buckeyes and Longhorns cross paths. They traded road wins in a home-and-home series in 2006 and 2007 — Vince Young and Troy Smith were in charge of some of those teams — before meeting in the Fiesta Bowl in 2009. Texas won that one 24-21.

Who will start for Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl?

Kansas State transfer Will Howard will make the start behind center for the Buckeyes, having gone 41 of 55 for 630 yards, five touchdowns and an interception during the College Football Playoff.

Howard will be throwing to Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State's all-time receiving yardage leader, and freshman standout Jeremiah Smith. The latter erupted in the Rose Bowl, posting seven grabs for 187 yards and two touchdowns.

Who will start for Texas in the Cotton Bowl?

Quinn Ewers, a former Buckeye, will operate the Longhorns' offense. Ewers is regarded as one of college football's better passers, having put up 3,189 yards and 29 touchdowns through the air this season.

Sophomore running back Quintrevion Wisner has rushed for 1,018 yards and five scores this season, giving Texas some variation in its attack. At wideout, Matthew Golden had 149 yards and a touchdown on seven receptions in the Peach Bowl. He'll likely see the ball a good bit against a stingy Ohio State defense.