Dallas police display Buckeye spirt while escorting team to practices

  The motorcycle escorts that lead Ohio State's team buses to practice have a familiar look to them. Dallas police officers have decorated their helmets with Buckeye stripes and stickers to get into the spirit.

Making news: Trojans, Buckeyes meet the media

  One of the duties for both bowl teams is daily news conferences. The media gatherings are held at the Goodyear Cotton Bowl's media headquarters, in between practices and other bowl events. USC takes the early shift with reporters while Ohio State steps in front of the cameras and microphones in the afternoon.
   Wednesday, in addition to the news conferences, both teams are making visits to children's hospitals, an annual Goodyear Cotton Bowl tradition that warms the hearts of players and patients alike.
   USC will visit the Texas Scottish Rite hospital, while Ohio State will visit Children's Medical Center, both in Dallas.

Ohio State's Tuesday practice report from AT&T Stadium

   After initially practicing at a local high school facility (above), the Buckeyes have moved into AT&T Stadium for workouts under the big screen.
   Here's a report from Tuesday's practice: http://www.cottonbowl.com/news/news-releases/2017/12/buckeyes-getting-in-tune-usc/

Trojans putting in work at AT&T Stadium

     Here's a look at USC's Tuesday practice at AT&T Stadium: http://www.cottonbowl.com/news/news-releases/2017/12/usc-seeks-to-cap-season-on-high-note/

Mascot Masterpieces

   These sculptures of Tommy Trojan and Brutus Buckeye are more than meets the eye. They were painstakingly crafted out of used rubber tires by artist Blake McFarland.
   The amazing works of art were unveiled Wednesday morning at the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic's media hotel, the downtown Dallas Omni. Be sure and stop by and take in the sculptures in person so you can see the amazing detail.

Fans can see the Ohio State and USC marching bands perform in public rehearsals

   Not only does the 82nd Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic feature two of the most decorated and revered football programs, it also features two of the most accomplished and admired marching bands.
   And you can see the Ohio State and USC bands perform their Cotton Bowl shows without even buying a ticket.
   The bands will rehearse at local high schools and the practices are free and open to the public. NOTE: All times are approximate. Rehearsal dates and times can changed based on weather and travel issues.

   The Ohio State University Marching Band will rehearse at Wildcat-Ram Stadium on the campus of Lake Highlands High School, 9449 Church Rd., in northeast Dallas.
   The Buckeye band will practice:
   10:30 am to 12:30 pm on Wednesday, Dec. 27
   10:15 am to 11:45 am on Thursday, Dec. 28
   1:00 pm to 2:30 pm on Friday Dec. 29

 The USC marching band will rehearse at Eagle-Mustang Stadium on the campus of Richardson High School, 1250 W. Belt Line Rd. in Richardson, TX.
   The Trojan band will practice:
   9:30 am to Noon on Thursday, Dec. 28
   9:30 am to Noon on Friday, Dec. 29

Buckeyes, Trojans already at work and play for the 82nd Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic

The Buckeyes go through their first workouts in Texas

   Both the Ohio State Buckeyes and USC Trojans arrived in North Texas on Saturday and immediately got to work. Ohio State and USC held their first practices at local high schools before moving to AT&T Stadium on Monday.
   Before departing for practice, the head coaches of both teams took a moment to reflect on the importance of a game featuring two storied programs. Not to mention that they are the champions of the Big Ten and Pac-12 conferences, who traditionally have met in the Rose Bowl.
   “When you talk about a USC-Ohio State matchup, I think everybody in college football was excited,” USC coach Clay Helton said. “If you’re a college football fan, that’s what you love to see, is to see the best teams play on the brightest stage down here in Dallas at AT&T Stadium. It doesn’t get any better than that.”
   Ohio State coach Urban Meyer had similar sentiments.
   “I can’t imagine two better tradition-rich programs facing each other,” Meyer said. “It will be great for college football. I imagine the fans will really enjoy watching this. And we’re going to do our best to put on a great event for Ohio State and USC, two great conferences, the Big Ten and the Pac-12.”
 

USC players take in the Cowboys-Seahawks game on Sunday.

Ohio State coach Urban Meyer addresses his team.