College football will have consecutive national champions from outside the Sun Belt region for the first time in three decades if Ohio State beats Texas in a playoff semifinal this week.

Star power is abundant in Penn State vs. Notre Dame and Ohio State vs. Texas. Here are the players you won’t want to miss in this week’s national semifinals.

The first College Football Playoff semifinal is set as (8) Ohio State and (5) Texas will meet in the Cotton Bowl on Friday, Jan. 10 with a spot in the College Football Playoff National Championship on the line. This will be just the fourth meeting all-time, and the first since 2009, between two of the sport's most storied program.

The first College Football Playoff semifinal will feature Penn State and Notre Dame. A breakdown of the keys to victory in the Orange Bowl.

The semifinals for the 2024-25 season will be played Thursday and Friday, and they’ll feature Penn State, Notre Dame, Texas and Ohio State fighting for a spot in the national championship. Here is what you need to know about the remaining College Football Playoff games.

Penn State will face Notre Dame in the Orange Bowl, while Ohio State will face Texas in the Cotton Bowl. Winners will meet for the CFP championship.

Ohio State and Texas are set to meet in Friday night's College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Cotton Bowl. The game features a matchup of two college football powerhouses with loaded rosters and rabid fanbases.