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:

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:

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.

Ohio State and Texas have drawn each other as semifinal opponents in the College Football Playoff. This is the fourth matchup between the blue bloods.

AUSTIN, Texas — Long before Quinn Ewers was a key part of Texas' resurgence as a college football power, he bolted north for Ohio State, lured by money and a chance to play in a program already competing for national championships.

ARLINGTON, Texas — All season long the Ohio State Buckeye faithful ... Texas won the first one in Columbus in 2005, and the Buckeyes returned the favor in Austin the following year.

According to Google Maps, it is a three hour and 13 minute drive (200.0 miles) from Texas' campus in Austin ... and a half hour drive from Ohio State's campus in Columbus, Ohio.

After spending a semester deep on the depth chart at Ohio State, the Texas native headed home to front Steve Sarkisian’s rebuilding project. He will face his former team in a CFP semifinal at the