Cotton Bowl weather update: News emerges on game time, possible changes for Texas vs. Ohio State

The Cotton Bowl is still on schedule for Friday night, Yahoo! Sports’ Ross Dellenger reported. The game’s status came into question as a winter storm gets ready to hit the Dallas area ahead of Texas vs. Ohio State.

A forecasted 3-6 inches of snow is on the way Thursday, and bowl officials met with multiple groups of people – including emergency management, College Football Playoff leadership, law enforcement and meteorologists – to discuss the impending storm, Dellenger reported. Both teams are set to get to Dallas on Wednesday.

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Dellenger also noted there has been “little to no serious discussion” about moving the game from its Friday kickoff time. Fan events and those related to College GameDay are also still on, as scheduled, as of Tuesday night.

The Cotton Bowl remains on schedule to be played Friday night.

Bowl officials met with emergency management, law enforcement, CFP leaders and meteorologists today as they continue to monitor the winter storm approaching Dallas. Teams are still scheduled to arrive Wednesday.

— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) January 8, 2025

Friday’s forecast calls for a high temperature of 38 degrees in Arlington, according to Accuweather. Slippery road conditions are also expected amid the predicted 3-6 inches of snow.

“Some snow in the morning,” the forecast reads. “Low clouds and very cold, turning breezy in the afternoon; storm total 3-6″; expect slippery travel early, then some improvement.”

Earlier this week, the Cotton Bowl released a statement about the impending weather. Officials are in constant contact with authorities as they keep tabs the situation.

“We are routinely monitoring weather reports and we are in close contact with AT&T Stadium and local officials,” the statement said. “We always have plans for inclement weather. Should conditions warrant it, we will communicate to everyone attending and connected with this year’s Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic.”

Texas and Ohio State are gearing up to square off after winning their respective College Football Playoff quarterfinal games. The Longhorns headed to two overtimes in the Peach Bowl against Arizona State before eventually coming away with the 39-31 victory while the Buckeyes put on a clinic against Oregon in the Rose Bowl en route to the 41-21 win.

Now, both programs are one win away from the CFP national championship. In a game seen as a de facto “home game” for Texas, Steve Sarkisian is making sure he keeps things in perspective.

“I don’t necessarily feel pressure upon that,” Sarkisian said this week. “When you take the head job here at the University of Texas, you’ve got to know what you’re signing up for. And there’s an expectation and a standard here to compete and to win championships, compete for and win championships. And so, you acknowledge it. You accept it. And you start charging forward.

“I think of this as more of a great opportunity to play in the Cotton Bowl and the Semifinals of the College Football Playoff against an unbelievable opponent in Ohio State. They’ve got a great fan base. They’re going to travel. I’ve played against them in the Rose Bowl and different opportunities.”