Although it may seem like the playoff gave Texas some home field advantage, it was actually picked as a semifinal location due to Oregon. The semifinal sites are determined by proximity, so Oregon was given the Cotton Bowl side of the bracket, with Georgia's side of the bracket getting the Orange.

The Cotton Bowl semifinal is set to be played as scheduled in North Texas on Friday, Jan. 10 despite severe inclement weather expected in the region. Weather forecasts project that the area could receive more than 4 inches of snow only days before the game.

Texas and Ohio State arrived for the College Football Playoff semifinal game at the Cotton Bowl before the snow expected to hit the North Texas area.