Cotton Bowl will host the College Football Playoff Semifinal between No. 5 Texas and No. 8 Ohio State on Friday evening. The Buckeyes are six-point favorites, despite the Longhorns getting to play inside their home state of Texas.

Why is Ohio State playing Texas in the Cotton Bowl for its CFP semifinal location? Here's what to know ahead of Friday's game vs. the Longhorns:

Steve Sarkisian parlayed back-to-back College Football Playoff semifinal appearances into an extension — and not another job.

When Texas defeated Arizona State and Ohio defeated Oregon to move on to the Cotton Bowl Classic, fans jumped at the opportunity to see their team in Texas, according to Vivid Seats.

Ohio State fans came out in full force at the Cotton Bowl, occupying nearly half of AT&T Stadium for the CFP semifinal matchup vs Texas:

Ohio State and Texas are both seeking a chance to end national title droughts. The powerhouse programs meet in the College Football Playoff semifinal at the Cotton Bowl.

And the CFP semifinal will take place at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, roughly 200 miles north of the Longhorns' Austin campus ... will play in the Cotton Bowl for a record 23rd time, but ...

The Texas Longhorns held a 15-minute open practice window for the media at Denius Fields on campus Sunday ahead of Friday's College Football Playoff S

Ohio State faithful travel just as well, or better, than Texas fans so Longhorns will be hard-pressed for any advantage at AT&T Stadium.

In a letter to the SEC, the organization said that subjecting Bevo to the bright lights, loud noises and rowdy stadium will leave him stressed and terrified.

Snow and ice have been on the minds of Texas fans hoping to attend the College Football Playoff semifinal game in Arlington against Ohio State. AT&T Stadium, where the Cotton Bowl will be played Friday, has seen temperatures hovering slightly before ...

North Texas experienced a major freeze on Thursday, but that won't stop college football fans from attending Friday night's Cotton Bowl match.