Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud made clear that he is cheering for his former Ohio State Buckeyes in this week’s Cotton Bowl College Football Playoff semifinals matchup against the Texas Longhorns. In a press conference in the lead-up to the Texans’ Wild Card playoff game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Stroud was asked to give his thoughts on the massive college football game taking place this week.
While stating that he was fully behind his alma mater, Stroud also outlined numerous bets in the Texans’ locker room between former Ohio State and Texas players. In addition, he gave a shoutout to some former teammates and good friends who play for the Longhorns.
What Did C.J. Stroud Say About the Cotton Bowl?
Stroud made clear that he was fully supporting his Buckeyes in the big contest.
“Yeah, I got the Bucks all day,” he stated.
He continued by detailing how, depending on the matchup’s result, some individuals may arrive at the Texans game on Saturday dressed in the other school’s colors.
“A lot of UT guys here so I got a lot of bets going on. If you see some guys in scarlet on Saturday morning you know where it came from,” he added.
CJ Stroud on the Ohio State vs Texas playoff game:
“A lot of UT guys here so I got a lot of bets going on. If you see some guys in scarlet on Saturday morning you know where it came from”
Says he’ll root for “one of his best friends” Silas Bolden & former teammate Quinn Ewers pic.twitter.com/yYxQj0f4sN
— Houston Stressans (@TexansCommenter) January 7, 2025
However, despite the rivalry, he did shout out his good friend, Longhorns wide receiver Silas Bolden, and former teammate, quarterback Quinn Ewers.
Cotton Bowl, NFL Wild Card Preview
Both the Buckeyes and Texans have crucial playoff matchups this week.
Stroud and the Texans will host Justin Herbert and the Chargers in the opening game of this year’s NFL playoffs on Wild Card Weekend. Although they are at home in the matchup, the Texans have struggled since losing star receivers Stefon Diggs and Tank Dell to injury this year.
Most notably, Houston was dominated 31-2 on Christmas Day against Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens.
Meanwhile, the Buckeyes face Ewers and the Longhorns in the College Football Playoff semifinal. The Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic contest will take place from AT&T Stadium, home of the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys.
Most recently, the No. 8 seed Buckeyes defeated the No. 1 seed Oregon Ducks by an impressive score of 41-21. Should the Buckeyes win this game, they will advance to the National Championship game.
While it remains to be seen how the Texans and Buckeyes do later this week, it is evident that Stroud and numerous teammates will be invested in the result of the Cotton Bowl.