CFP semifinal schedule: Who will Ohio State play in CFP semifinals after Oregon win?

With the sunset over the San Gabriel Mountains serving as a picturesque backdrop, Ohio State took one resounding step closer to its dreams of a national championship.

The Buckeyes had their way against an Oregon team that handed them one of their two regular-season losses, scoring the game’s first 34 points in a 41-21 thumping of the Ducks on New Year’s Day at the Rose Bowl.

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The victory advanced coach Ryan Day’s team in the College Football Playoff while knocking out the inaugural 12-team field’s No. 1 seed. Behind Jeremiah Smith's two touchdowns and 187 yards — a single-game program record for a freshman — and 319 yards and three touchdowns from Will Howard, Ohio State was able to avenge a heartbreaking 32-31 loss to Oregon on Oct. 12.

Now that the Buckeyes are past the playoff quarterfinals, what awaits them in the semifinals?

Here’s who Ohio State will play in the College Football Playoff semifinals:

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Who will Ohio State play in CFP semifinals?

With the Oregon victory behind it, Ohio State, the playoff’s No. 8 seed, will square off against No. 5 seed Texas in the Cotton Bowl on Friday, Jan. 10.

The Longhorns advanced to the semifinal matchup with a thrilling 39-31 double-overtime win against No. 4 seed Arizona State in the Peach Bowl on New Year’s Day. Coach Steve Sarkisian’s team, like Ohio State, has two losses, including an overtime setback against Georgia in the SEC championship game.

Ohio State and Texas have only three all-time meetings and haven’t played since 2009, when the Longhorns defeated the Buckeyes 24-21 in the Fiesta Bowl.

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College Football Playoff schedule

All times Eastern

CFP first round

Friday, Dec. 20

• No. 7 Notre Dame 27, No. 10 Indiana 17

Saturday, Dec. 21

• No. 6 Penn State 38, No. 11 SMU 10

• No. 12 Clemson 38, No. 5 Texas 24

• No. 8 Ohio State 42, No. 9 Tennessee 17

CFP quarterfinals

Tuesday, Dec. 31

• Fiesta Bowl: No. 6 Penn State 31, Boise State 14

Wednesday, Jan. 1

• Peach Bowl: No. 5 Texas 39, No. 4 Arizona State 31 (2OT)

• Rose Bowl: No. 8 Ohio State 41, No. 1 Oregon 21

Thursday, Jan. 2

• Sugar Bowl: No. 2 Georgia vs. No. 7 Notre Dame | 4 p.m. ET

CFP semifinals

Thursday, Jan. 9

• Orange Bowl: Sugar Bowl winner vs. No. 6 Penn State | 7:30 p.m. ET

Friday, Jan. 10

• Cotton Bowl: No. 8 Ohio State vs. No. 5 Texas | 7:30 p.m. ET

CFP championship game

Monday, Jan. 20

• CFP championship game: Orange Bowl winner vs. Cotton Bowl winner | 7:30 p.m. ET

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Updated CFP 12-team bracket

1. Oregon (13-1)

2. Georgia (11-2)

3. Boise State (12-2)

4. Arizona State (11-3)

5. Texas (13-2)

6. Penn State (13-2)

7. Notre Dame (12-1)

8. Ohio State (12-2)

9. Tennessee (10-3)

10. Indiana (11-2)

11. SMU (11-3)

12. Clemson (10-4)

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Who will Ohio State play in CFP semifinals? Buckeyes' next opponent