Texas lost to the Washington Huskies in last year's CFP semifinals, and the Longhorns have never advanced to the title game in the CFP era. Ohio State is back in the Playoff for the first time since the 2020 season, and it now hopes to win its first national title since the 2014 campaign, the inaugural year of the College Football Playoff.

The Texas Longhorns (13-2) are set to take on the Ohio State Buckeyes (12-2) in the College Football Playoff Semifinal on Friday. And while the Longhorns have played games of similar magnitude, Friday's game feels like the biggest Texas has participated in since the 2009 national title game.

Ohio State quarterback Will Howard (18) reacts after a touchdown against Oregon during the second half in the quarterfinals of the Rose Bowl College Football Playoff, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong) (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)