ARLINGTON, Texas – The No. 8 Ohio State Buckeyes (12-2, 7-2 Big Ten Conference) held a walk-through practice Thursday afternoon at AT&T Stadium before Friday's clash with No. 5 Texas Longhorns (13-2, 7-1 Southeastern Conference) in the 2025 College Football Playoff at the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic.

Both Texas Head Coach Steve Sarkisian and Ohio State Head Coach Ryan Day met the media in a joint press conference Thursday afternoon at AT&T Stadium.  Each opened with statements mindful of calamities that have affected the nation to begin 2025, notably the wildfires in California and the terrorist attack in New Orleans.
 
"I'll echo Coach Sark's comments, certainly, about all the tragedies that are going, certainly in California," Day said.  "And certainly just being there last week has given our coaches and team an opportunity to pause, and certainly give our thoughts and prayers to those that are going through that difficult time, and certainly those in New Orleans."
 
It's the second consecutive appearance in the Classic and fourth overall for the Buckeyes, who enter the semifinals with playoff wins over No. 9 Tennessee (42-17), and No. 1 Oregon (41-21).
 
"We're very excited about being here again," Day said.  "I think the Cotton Bowl does a great job in hosting their teams. I think their team does a great job. It's a great setting. Certainly AT&T Stadium is one of the best game environments there are throughout college football and the NFL. So, we're excited to be here again. I'll say this for our team. Every week, we've had an opportunity to grow and to build, and we're excited about being here in this spot."
 
While it's the second consecutive Cotton Bowl Classic appearance for the Buckeyes, the stakes are a lot different this year, as a College Football Playoff National Championship Game berth awaits. Day said the foundation of the rhythm and cadence of operation is key.
 
"I think Coach will say the same thing," Day said. "That you want to make sure that you are going to do what you do, but also have some wrinkles along the way. Continue to have the same routine. Not make it too big, but at the same time, making sure that you're having everything that you do covered and making sure that you're putting your players in a situation to be successful."
 
The expanded College Football Playoff has added excitement for the sport, and a longer season for the teams. The Buckeyes will play game 15 of the season Friday night, one less game than the Longhorns. Day believes both programs have continued to evolve throughout the season.
 
"This new format has allowed teams to grow throughout the season," Day said.  "And I think Coach Sark has done a great job, and his staff and his team, of growing throughout the season. You can see every week, every month as the season has gone on, they've grown, they've changed, they've adapted, they've built, and they've stayed resilient throughout the season. And they're a very, very good opponent. Very, very talented, well-coached, played in big games before. And so, it's a great opponent, and it's going to be a great atmosphere. Our team is very, very excited about playing in it."
 
These factors, both with proud, passionate fan bases, should make for an electric atmosphere in the 89th Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic.
 
"And I'm excited for our fans," Day said. "I think that when you think about the players and the coaches in this new format, week after week, the work that they're putting in, but also for our fans, the lengths that they've come to, to decide to get on a plane and buy tickets to come to this game, and then throughout the country, I think it all matters."
 
The 2025 College Football Playoff Semifinal at the 89th Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic is Friday, Jan. 10 at 6:30 p.m. CT on ESPN and ESPN Radio. Kickoff is slated for 6:45 p.m.
 
This year's Classic is a part of the ESPN bowl lineup for the 11th straight year. Chris Fowler and Kirk Herbstreit are set to the call the action from the booth with Holly Rowe and Laura Rutledge reporting from the sidelines. ESPN Radio returns as the Classic's national radio partner for the 11th consecutive year with Marc Kestecher and Kelly Stouffer in the booth and Ian Fitzsimmons and Quint Kessenich on the sidelines to describe all the action from AT&T Stadium.

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