The Short but Storied Rivalry Between Texas, Ohio State

© Matthew Emmons-Imagn Images

Both schools have been playing football for more than 100 years, have combined for more than 1,700 wins and have combined for 12 national championships, but the 2025 Cotton Bowl will mark just the fourth time the storied programs of the Texas Longhorns and Ohio State Buckeyes will meet on the football field.

Although the two programs didn’t start playing each other until the 21st century, all three previous matchups proved pivotal for the winner of the game. However, the implications in the short rivalry series have never been higher as the No. 5 seed Longhorns (13-2) and No. 8 seed Buckeyes (12-2) prepare to clash in the semifinal round of the 2025 College Football Playoff at 7:30 p.m. EST on Jan. 10 in Arlington, Texas. 

Meaningful Matchups

2005: No. 2 Texas 25, No. 4 Ohio State 22

Both programs have been considered among the elite teams in college football for decades but it wasn’t until 2005 that the Longhorns and Buckeyes first played against each other. In the opening contest of a home-and-home, No. 4-ranked Ohio State came into the game as a 1-point home favorite against No. 2-ranked Texas. The Buckeyes led 22-16 heading into the fourth quarter, but the Longhorns’ dynamic Vince Young threw a touchdown pass in the final minutes to give Texas the win. The victory helped propel Young and the Longhorns to an eventual epic National Championship win against the USC Trojans. Ohio State went on to finish 10-2, claim a shared Big Ten Conference Championship and ended the season with a win over Notre Dame in the Fiesta Bowl.

2006: No. 1 Ohio State 24, No. 2 Texas 7

In their second meeting, the No. 1-ranked Buckeyes came into Austin, Texas as 3-point underdogs to the No. 2-ranked Longhorns. Eventual Heisman Trophy winner Troy Smith threw 2 touchdown passes in the first half as Ohio State cruised to a 24-7 win.

Like Texas the season before, Ohio State’s early victory propelled the Buckeyes to the national championship game, in which they ultimately lost 41-14 to the Florida Gators. The Longhorns finished the season with a 10-3 overall record and defeated Iowa in the Alamo Bowl. 

2008: No. 3 Texas 24, No. 10 Ohio State 21 

The last time Texas and Ohio State tussled was the only time the two blue-bloods met in the postseason. After just missing out on a national championship game appearance thanks to Michael Crabtree and the Texas Tech Red Raiders, the No. 3-ranked and 11-1 Longhorns squared off against the No. 10-ranked Buckeyes in the 2009 Fiesta Bowl in Glendale, Ariz. The Longhorns came into the game as 9.5-point favorites and led 17-6 going into the fourth quarter.

Ohio State then scored 15 straight points to take the lead with two minutes left in the game, but Colt McCoy led Texas on a game-winning drive to end the game, capped by a McCoy touchdown pass to Quan Cosby. 

Cotton Bowl Classic Success

While Texas and Ohio State will meet in the Cotton Bowl for the first time, both teams have found success in North Texas in the postseason. Texas is making its 23rd appearance (11-10-1 all-time) in the Cotton Bowl and first since a 35-20 win against the LSU Tigers in 2003. The Buckeyes are 2-1 in the Cotton Bowl and are making their first appearance since a 24-7 win against the USC Trojans in 2017. Ohio State also has fond memories of playing in AT&T Stadium after downing the Oregon Ducks in the 2015 National Championship game. Coming into the 2025 edition of the Cotton Bowl, the Buckeyes are 6.5-point favorites against the Longhorns.