This week, they will need more of the same, as they travel down to Miami to take on the 13-2 Penn State Nittany Lions. Head coach James Franklin is riding high off of two double digit wins in the first two rounds of the playoffs.

In the first round of the College Football Playoff, the teams seeded 5-8 all won. In the second round, they all won again.

The Buckeyes’ defense will be tested by the high-flying Longhorns, who are 13-2 and rank 21st in scoring. Texas lost to Georgia twice this year but bounced back to beat Clemson in the first round and Arizona State in the Peach Bowl, approaching 40 points in both victories.

Ashton Jeanty headlines the top 2025 NFL draft prospects to watch in the College Football Playoff game between Penn State and Boise State:

The College Football Playoff has arrived at a state most fans have become accustomed to in recent years, with the once 12-strong field now whittled down to the Final Four. Two rounds are down and two more beckon before we reach an end date in Atlanta.

Ohio State faces Texas in the Cotton Bowl, while Penn State takes on Notre Dame in the Orange Bowl in the College Football Playoff semifinals next week on ESPN.