The Ohio State football program has a unique opportunity in one of their final games of the 2024-25 season to accomplish something never before seen in the program’s storied history. If the Buckeyes can defeat Texas in the Cotton Bowl on January 10, 2025, they will secure a rare achievement: two victories over SEC opponents in a single season. This would mark the first time in Ohio State football history that the team has notched multiple wins over SEC teams within the same campaign.
This historic feat is especially significant given Ohio State’s long-standing struggles against the Southeastern Conference. While the Buckeyes boast a solid overall record vs. teams currently in the conference, their track record against SEC teams while they are active members of the conference tells a different story.
Of the 49 games Ohio State has played against current SEC teams, they hold a 26-20-3 record. However, many of those victories occurred when the opponents were not part of the SEC. For instance, Ohio State holds a 4-0 record against Texas A&M, but all four of those wins came before the Aggies joined the SEC in 2012.
When looking at Ohio State’s head-to-head record against teams while they were members of the SEC, the numbers are more modest. The Buckeyes have only five such victories: 1933 vs Vanderbilt, 1935 vs Kentucky, 1988 vs LSU, 2015 vs Alabama, and most recently, a 2024 triumph over Tennessee.
Their past two victories vs. Alabama and Tennessee both came in the first round of the College Football Playoffs. Against this backdrop, a second victory over the new SEC team, Texas, would be a symbolic and practical win that goes beyond the Cotton Bowl trophy.
This is not just an opportunity for Ohio State to claim another postseason victory but a chance to prove themselves against a conference that has long been a thorn in their side. The Buckeyes' current all-time record against SEC opponents while those teams are part of the conference is 5-14-1. Many of those losses have come in high-profile bowl games, and the SEC’s dominance over the Buckeyes has often been a point of criticism for the program.
A victory over Texas would not only serve as a measure of redemption but also momentum for the future of Ohio State football. The 2024 regular-season win over Tennessee showed that Ohio State is capable of taking on tough SEC competition and emerging victorious. A Cotton Bowl win would reinforce that statement, solidifying the Buckeyes’ ability to compete at the highest level.
Beyond Ohio State’s internal motivation, the game against Texas carries significance for the entire Big Ten conference. This season, the Big Ten has outperformed expectations against SEC teams, with a 5-4 record in head-to-head matchups. Texas is the only remaining SEC team in the postseason, and a Buckeye victory would not only increase Ohio State’s prestige but also add another win to the Big Ten’s ledger, furthering the rivalry between the two powerhouse conferences.
The Buckeyes are no strangers to big moments, and this Cotton Bowl offers one more shot at glory in a season that has been full of ups and downs. Ohio State has already proven they can beat SEC competition this year, but securing two wins in a single season would be a landmark achievement. This is a moment that could help reshape perceptions, build confidence, and set the tone for the program moving forward.
As the Buckeyes prepare to take on Texas, the stakes are high. A victory would not only bring a prestigious bowl trophy back to Columbus but also offer a rare and historic achievement for the program: a season sweep of SEC opponents. For Ohio State, this isn’t just another game—it’s a chance to make history.