In just a few days the College Football Playoff semifinals will kick off out a bout between the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and Penn State Nittany Lions.
The winner of Thursday night’s game will square off against the winner of Friday night’s game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and Texas Longhorns. Entering the quarterfinal games last week, Texas was the better favorite to win the national title.
However, after Ohio State’s 41-21 rout of the Oregon Ducks, the Buckeyes are now the favorite to win it all. Quarterback Will Howard is hoping he can win his first game against the Longhorns after going winless against Texas during his Kansas State career before transferring to Ohio State.
August 31, 2024; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day and Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Will Howard (18) are interviewed following Saturday’s NCAA Division I football game against the Akron Zips at Ohio Stadium.
© Barbara J. Perenic/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK
“That was the only team I didn’t beat when I was in the Big 12,” Howard told reporters over the weekend. “They’re always a good team. But none of those games were unwinnable. Definitely excited to get another chance at these guys…Texas is a heck of a football team. So we’re going to have to be on our stuff.”
Ahead of the matchup, Ohio State posted a three-word message to social media.
“Next game up,” the Ohio State Football program said on social media while providing details for the Cotton Bowl.
Howard is hoping to avenge all of his losses to Texas, but one game in particular that came last season in a 33-30 overtime loss when the Wildcats had a chance to defeat the Longhorns.
“That one still sticks with me,” Howard said. “I don’t like how that one ended. … I know there’s a lot of people back in Kansas that are rooting for the Buckeyes to get this one done against these guys.”
Ohio State and Texas kick off at 7:30 p.m. ET on Friday night. Both playoff games will be broadcast on ESPN.