Ohio State vs. Texas Touchdown Predictions & Odds: CFP Cotton Bowl

The Ohio State Buckeyes take on the Texas Longhorns in the Cotton Bowl on Friday night, with the final place in the 2025 College Football Playoff National Championship on the line. Kickoff is slated for 7:30 p.m. ET (ESPN) from AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

Our Ohio State vs. Texas touchdown predictions pick three players we believe can influence the outcome of this pivotal clash. One of our selections comes from our Ohio State vs. Texas prediction, as it is one of our favorite plays ahead of the 2025 Cotton Bowl.

Our best sportsbooks list the Buckeyes as 6-point favorites; will any of the players mentioned below be able to influence that outcome?

Ohio State vs. Texas touchdown predictions: CFP Cotton Bowl

College football picks made Wednesday. Our NEW player prop odds tool can help you find the best odds on any market across legal sportsbooks in your area!

• Will Howard touchdown prediction: Anytime touchdown scorer () ⭐⭐⭐
• Jeremiah Smith touchdown prediction: Anytime touchdown scorer () ⭐⭐⭐⭐
• Gunnar Helm touchdown prediction: Anytime touchdown scorer (+220 via FanDuel) ⭐⭐⭐

Best Ohio State vs. Texas touchdown picks

Will Howard anytime touchdown scorer ⭐⭐⭐

Best odds: +260 via FanDuel | Implied probability: 27.78%

We'll be 100% transparent here. While the Ohio State running backs are likeliest to score, their odds reflect that reality. We're not going to play either TreVeyon Henderson or Quinshon Judkins at their current prices (-125 and -115 respectively) because of the shared workload. This is especially true against a ferocious Texas rush defense, which ranks among the best in the country.

Instead, we'll take a flier on Howard's anytime touchdown scorer prop. This pick is more banking on Chip Kelly finding creative ways to punch it in on the ground in the red zone rather than Howard dicing up the Longhorns' defense with his legs. While Texas has allowed just two touchdowns to opposing quarterbacks on the ground this year, the Ohio State signal-caller has seven rushing scores in 14 starts.

Trends tell us this number should be closer to even money, as opposed to the +260 price offered by FanDuel. Howard hasn't found pay dirt since Nov. 23's win over Indiana, though, so his odds continue to lengthen during this cold streak. A $10 wager would profit $26 if Howard manages to break the drought.

Jeremiah Smith anytime touchdown scorer ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Best odds: -125 via BetMGM | Implied probability: 55.56%

Smith in two College Football Playoff games: 13 receptions, 290 yards, and four touchdowns.

Is any further justification for this pick necessary? To say the freshman has been sensational would be an understatement. Smith has likely been the best individual player throughout two rounds of the College Football Playoff.

His anytime touchdown odds are juiced, similar to Henderson and Judkins. However, unlike the running back duo, it's clear Smith is the No. 1 option in the passing game. He and Emeka Egbuka both have 70 receptions this season, but it's the freshman who edges out the senior in receiving yards and touchdowns.

Smith has scored in 11 of Ohio State's 14 games this year. He'll face one of the toughest tests of his young career against projected first-round pick Jahdae Barron, but seeing as he's found the end zone four times in two playoff games, we're comfortable backing him in this spot.

BetMGM has the best odds among our best sports betting sites at -125.

Gunnar Helm anytime touchdown scorer ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Best odds: +220 via FanDuel | Implied probability: 31.25%

Has Texas' inconsistent passing game finally found a dependable red zone threat?

Helm has been one of Quinn Ewers' go-to targets in the red area, most recently with the go-ahead touchdown in double overtime against Arizona State. The eventual game-winning score from the tight end marked a second consecutive game where he found the end zone.

It also took his tally to seven on the year, which is joint-second on the Longhorns' stat sheet. The odds are stacked against Helm, though. He's never scored in three consecutive games, and no tight end has found the end zone against the Buckeyes this season.

Nevertheless, we'll take our chance with the game script calling for Texas to pass the ball when trailing. Our best sports betting apps list Helm at +220 to score, so a $10 winning wager would return $22 in profits.

CFP Cotton Bowl expert picks

• Ohio State vs. Texas prediction
• Ohio State vs. Texas player props
• Ohio State vs. Texas parlay picks
• Ohio State vs. Texas touchdown predictions
• Jeremiah Smith player props

Ohio State vs. Texas touchdown scorer odds

Cotton Bowl live odds & game info

• When: Friday, Jan. 10
• Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET
• Where: AT&T Stadium (Arlington, Texas)
• How to watch: ESPN
• Weather: Indoors
• Favorite: Ohio State -6 (-110 via BetMGM)

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