Who are the referees for Cotton Bowl 2025? Matchup details, key players to watch and more

Two of the foremost programs in the sport, Ohio State (12-2) and Texas (13-2) will do battle in the Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium on Thursday for the right to head to Atlanta.

Ohio State paved its way to Arlington in impressive fashion, thrashing both Tennessee and Oregon in its prior playoff tests. The Buckeyes raced out to a 34-0 lead against Oregon and were never really threatened on the way to a 41-21 Rose Bowl victory.

Texas probably wishes it could say the same. The Longhorns were given a scare late as Arizona State climbed out of a 16-point fourth-quarter hole and would have advanced had it stopped Texas on a 4th-and-13 in overtime. Instead, Steve Sarkisian's side found the end zone on Quinn Ewers' 28-yard pass to Matthew Golden. They earned the victory in the following extra period.

The Longhorns were the Southeastern Conference runner-ups, having fallen to Georgia in the league's title game last month. The Bulldogs own that crown, but were booted from the College Football Playoff by Notre Dame in the Sugar Bowl. In fact, all four conference champions that earned a bye were toppled in the quarterfinal round.

Who are the officials for the Cotton Bowl?

On such a large stage, fans will expect fair and correct officiating. An impartial Atlantic Coast Conference crew will be in charge for the Cotton Bowl.

Jerry Magallanes has already refereed one Ohio State game this postseason, serving in that post as the Buckeyes downed the Volunteers in Columbus. His team is made up partly from that contest and the one that peeled its eyes for the Rose Bowl.

Here is a look at the entire crew for the Cotton Bowl.

• Jerry Magallanes (Referee)
• Johnnie Forte (Umpire)
• Darryl Johnson (Head linesman)
• Alex Amaya (Line judge)
• Hugh Brown (Field judge)
• Brian McGready (Side judge)
• Frederick Dimpfel (Back judge)
• Anthony Calabrese (Center judge)
• Marcus Woods (Alternate)
• Bill Scott (Replay official)
• Frank Overcash (Clock operator)

Players to watch in the Cotton Bowl

Jeremiah Smith, wide receiver, Ohio State Buckeyes

On arguably the biggest stage he'd played on to date, Smith was blinding. The true freshman tormented Oregon's secondary to the tune of 187 receiving yards and two touchdowns on seven receptions. His performance served as a large reason that the Buckeyes were as commanding as they were in the win in Pasadena.

Quinn Ewers, quarterback, Texas Longhorns

Ewers initially suited up for Ohio State before transferring back to his native state. He'll lead his squad into a clash with a lot of the same players he joined the Buckeyes with, including Jack Sawyer, Emeka Egbuka and TreVeyon Henderson.