It's been a difficult year for ESPN college football announcer Kirk Herbstreit - in more ways than we previously knew.

Now the Buckeyes face No. 5 Texas at the Cotton Bowl. The other semifinal, to be played on Jan. 9, has No. 6 Penn State vs. the winner of Thursday's game between No. 2 Georgia and No. 7 Notre Dame.

The second CFP semifinal game will between Texas and Ohio State on Jan. 10 in the Cotton Bowl. It also will begin at 7:30 p.m., televised by ESPN. The six biggest, traditional bowls are the sites ...