College Football Semifinals

01/07/2025

Welcome to another episode of the All 4 Downs Podcast! I'm your host, Ovi Muniz, and today we're diving into two of the most exciting matchups in this year's college football postseason – the Cotton Bowl showdown between Texas and Ohio State, and the Orange Bowl clash between Penn State and Notre Dame.

Segment 1: Texas vs. Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl

Let's start with the Cotton Bowl. This matchup is a classic battle between two powerhouse programs. Texas and Ohio State have met three times before, with Texas holding the edge in the series 2-1. The last time these two faced off was in the Fiesta Bowl, where Texas secured a thrilling 24-21 victory with a game-winning touchdown in the final 16 seconds. It's a moment Longhorn fans still talk about to this day.

Cotton Bowl History:

  • Texas is no stranger to the Cotton Bowl. This will be their 23rd appearance, the most by any team, and they hold an 11-10-1 record in this iconic game. The Longhorns' last Cotton Bowl appearance was on January 1, 2003, when they took down LSU 35-20.

  • On the other side, Ohio State is making their 5th appearance in the Cotton Bowl. They've done well historically, with a 2-1 record, but their last trip in December 2023 ended in a 14-3 loss to Missouri.

Season Breakdown:

  • Texas comes in with a 13-2 record. They've had a tougher strength of schedule compared to Ohio State but couldn't overcome Georgia, losing to them twice.

  • Ohio State's road here included a regular-season loss to Oregon, but they got revenge by eliminating the Ducks in the quarterfinals. However, their season was also marred by a loss to Michigan.

Prediction: This game will be a close one, but I'm giving the edge to Texas. They'll win by three points.

Segment 2: Penn State vs. Notre Dame in the Orange Bowl

Now, let's turn our attention to the Orange Bowl, where Penn State and Notre Dame square off. These two programs are evenly matched historically, with their series record sitting at 9-9-1. The only time they met in a bowl game was way back on December 27, 1976, in the Gator Bowl, a game Notre Dame won 20-9.

Orange Bowl History:

  • Both teams are making their 6th appearance in the Orange Bowl.

  • Penn State's last trip was on January 3, 2006, when they edged out Florida State 26-23 in a nail-biter.

  • Notre Dame's last appearance came on January 1, 1996, but it wasn't as successful. They lost to Florida State 31-26.

Prediction: While Penn State has been solid this season, I think Notre Dame comes out on top in this one. My prediction: Notre Dame wins decisively, 32-10.

Closing Thoughts

Both games offer compelling storylines and historic matchups. Texas vs. Ohio State promises to be a tight, competitive battle, while Notre Dame and Penn State will bring their storied legacies to the Orange Bowl stage. As always, these games are about more than just numbers; they're about pride, tradition, and making history.

Thanks for tuning in to today's episode of the College Football Corner. Don't forget to subscribe and share your thoughts on these matchups. Who do you think will come out on top? Let's keep the conversation going on social media. Until next time, this is Ovi Muniz, signing off!

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