Cotton Bowl Countdown: Who Will Face Ohio State: Texas A&M or Miami?
The Buckeyes are waiting for their opponent in the College Football Playoff matchup in the Cotton Bowl. Ryan Day and the Buckeyes are preparing for another high-profile postseason stage. But who will Ohio State face under the bright lights of AT&T Stadium on New Year’s Eve?
Texas A&M and Miami square off in Saturday’s first round matchup with the winner getting Ohio State in Dallas. Miami travels to College Station to face Texas A&M in what many are calling the unofficial “We Beat Notre Dame Bowl.” The nickname fits, considering all three programs Ohio State, Miami, and Texas A&M can proudly claim victories over the Fighting Irish during the 2025 calendar year.
Let’s rewind how we got here:
- CFP National Championship: Ohio State defeated Notre Dame 34-23 to claim the national title.
- Week 1: Miami stunned Notre Dame in South Bend, escaping with a 27-24 victory.
- Week 2: Texas A&M followed with its own dramatic moment, outlasting the Irish 41-40 in a thriller.
Now, with postseason stakes at their highest, which team has the edge heading into this defining matchup?
Texas A&M enters the game with an 11-1 record, though their recent stretch has raised a few eyebrows. The Aggies showed resilience with a thrilling 31-30 comeback win over South Carolina on Nov. 15, followed by a dominant 48-0 rout of Samford a week later. However, their SEC title hopes came to an abrupt end in a 27-17 loss to rival Texas. Despite that setback, the Aggies remain dangerous on both sides of the ball.
Offensively, quarterback Marcel Reed has been electric, throwing for 2,932 yards and 25 touchdowns. Reed effectively utilizes his two standout wide receivers, KC Concepcion and Mario Craver. The duo combined for 109 receptions, 1,711 yards, and 13 touchdowns, providing a potent aerial attack that consistently stresses opposing defenses.
Defensively standout Cashius Howell has been a force in the trenches, piling up 11.5 sacks and consistently disrupting opposing offenses.
Miami’s path has been far from smooth, but the Hurricanes appear to be peaking at the right time. They burst out of the gates with a 5-0 start, looking every bit like a playoff contender, before hitting turbulence midseason. A heartbreaking 24-21 loss to Louisville was followed by a stunning 26-20 upset at the hands of SMU, putting Miami’s postseason hopes in jeopardy.
Instead of folding, the Hurricanes responded with championship metal. Miami closed the regular season with four straight blowout wins, reasserting itself as a contender and securing a spot in the College Football Playoff.
Offensively, the Hurricanes are led by Georgia transfer Carson Beck, who has delivered a standout season with 3,072 passing yards, 28 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. Malachi Toney has proven to be Beck’s favorite target, hauling in 84 receptions for 970 yards and seven touchdowns. In the backfield, Mark Fletcher Jr. may not have big time rushing stats with only 685 yards, but he has been a consistent scoring threat, finding the end zone 10 times as the focal point of Miami’s rushing attack.
Defensively, Miami thrives on pressure, anchored by Ruben Bain Jr. (4.5 sacks) and Akheem Mesidor (7 sacks). Together, the duo has combined for 11.5 sacks, setting the tone for a defense that excels at forcing mistakes and controlling the line of scrimmage.
Prediction
Both teams know exactly what’s on the line with a chance to face Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl and close the year with a statement victory on one of college football’s biggest stages. Will it be the Aggies’ offensive firepower or the Hurricanes’ late-season resilience that prevails?
My prediction: The Aggies’ explosiveness on offense gives them the slight edge, if their defense can withstand Miami’s speed and physicality. Behind the 12th man, Texas A&M will edge out a 34-30 victory over Miami.
If that prediction holds, Texas A&M would punch its ticket to Arlington, setting up a New Year’s Eve showdown with the Buckeyes in the Cotton Bowl. This matchup would be the fifth all-time meeting between the Aggies and Buckeyes, with the most recent matchup coming in the January 1, 1999, Sugar Bowl, when Ohio State earned a 24-14 victory. The Buckeyes would once again add a marquee matchup against an SEC opponent to their postseason resume.
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