By Chris Marler
Ohio State drubbed Oregon in the Rose Bowl, 41-21, advancing to the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Cotton Bowl against the Texas Longhorns. Oddsmakers installed the No. 8 seed Buckeyes (12-2) as a 4.5-point favorite over the No. 5 seed Longhorns.
Action Network had projected Texas as a two-point favorite before the line was posted.
Projected point spread for @CFBPlayoff @CottonBowlGame semifinal via @_Collin1
Texas -2 Ohio State
— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) January 2, 2025
Within an hour, Ohio State had surged to a six-point favorite. That would be the largest underdog spread Texas has been since their 2022 home game against then No. 1 Alabama. They lost that game by one point, 20-19.
Texas and Ohio State will meet in Dallas on Friday, January 10th at 6:30 p.m.
