One victory over Texas in the College Football Playoff semifinals would more than make up for years of frustration for Ohio State quarterback Will Howard.

Texas was the Big 12 champ last season. Howard transferred to Ohio State from Kansas State, which two years ago beat CFP-bound and undefeated TCU in overtime for that league title. Howard started three games against Texas while with the Wildcats. Those were all losses, as was a fourth game when he was on the sideline.

There's always a lot on the line when Ohio State and Texas take the field, and Friday evening is no exception. The (8) Buckeyes and (5) Longhorns are set to face off in the Cotton Bowl, with a trip to the College Football Playoff National Championship on the line.

For the second straight game, Will Howard proved that not only are the Buckeyes a playoff team, he's a playoff quarterback.

Ohio State and Texas will kick off the Cotton Bowl at 7:30 ET on Friday night from AT&T Stadium in Dallas, Texas, and the game will be airing on ESPN. The Buckeyes are currently favored by 5.5 points.

Texas has struggled to slow down mobile quarterbacks so far in the College Football Playoff. What that means this week vs. Ohio State's Will Howard.

Will Howard led Ohio State to two resounding College Football Playoff victories, but Emmanuel Acho still identified the Buckeyes quarterback as a potential weak link. After throwing two interceptions in a surprising home loss to Michigan,

College Football Playoff, how would you power rank them? FOX Sports' Emmanuel Acho has Ohio State's Will Howard ranked dead-last going up against his alma mater of Texas. Let's grade the take.

Which quarterback has the edge in Friday's Texas vs. Ohio State matchup in the College Football Playoff semifinals? Quinn Ewers has the clutch gene.

Suppose Ohio State quarterback Will Howard didn't need any more motivation entering Friday night's Cotton Bowl matchup against Texas. In that case, fellow Longhorns alumnus Emanuel Acho may have glazed the icing on the cake.