No. 2 Ohio State and No. 10 Miami are set to battle in the Cotton Bowl quarterfinal of the College Football Playoff in Arlington.
There are storylines galore between Ohio State and Miami. From the 2002 National Championship Game to poaching Jeremiah Smith, Brandon Inniss, and Kenyatta Jackson, these two teams have antimocity, admittedly, mainly from the Miami side. Now, the Buckeyes and Hurricanes battle in the Cotton Bowl quarterfinal of the College Football Playoff.
Our staff’s predictions are mixed, but consistent in saying the 41.5 number in Vegas will be accurate. Here’s how our team sees the Cotton Bowl playing out as 2025 comes to a close.
Dave: Miami 20 Ohio State 17
Blake: Ohio State vs Miami is a highly anticipated matchup with lore from the turn of the century intertwined. However, this game is about the 2025 versions of the Buckeyes and Hurricanes. Ohio State feels they let one get away in the Big Ten Championship, fueling a great month of recalibration and preparation. This is the game I expect Julian Sayin to let loose and take over, proving why he is among the best quarterbacks in the country.
All the talk over the last two weeks has been about recency bias, with Miami’s dominant line play and Ohio State’s struggles. While the Hurricanes have a vaunted front and a sturdy OL, this is the spot where Ohio State historically shows up. When the Buckeyes have to hear about their deficiencies for days on end, they prove the naysayers wrong. Ohio State 28 Miami 13
Dan: Another close Cotton Bowl for the Buckeyes. A Carson Beck turnover late seals the game for the Buckeyes. I expect Jeremiah Smith to have a monster evening. The Buckeyes will also bleed a lot of clock in this one, and there will be no missed kicks during the ball drop! Ohio State 28 Miami 14
Cass: It has been 25 days since the Buckeyes took the field, and they have had a bad taste in their mouth since their loss to Indiana. Now, with Ryan Day taking over the play calling, I look for the Buckeyes to open the playbook. Julian Sayin is looking to show why he is the best quarterback in the country, as he will shine along with the two best receivers in the country, Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate. The Buckeyes win in a game that is not as close as the score will indicate. Buckeyes 27 Hurricanes 17
Carson H: Both these teams have elite defenses and offenses that haven’t played up to their usual standard as of late. Special teams is another unit to keep an eye on, with Miami’s talented return man and Ohio State’s kicking woes. Big-time players make big-time plays in big-time games, and this was apparent last year when Ohio State’s stars, units, coaches, etc., seemed to rise to the occasion in all four playoff games against great teams.
The same will be needed this year if the Buckeyes have any legit aspirations to repeat for the first time in program history. Everything we have heard to this point leads to a more aggressive passing attack with the best duo in the country, and remaining steady on the defensive side.
I think Jeremiah Smith will show why he decided to leave his hometown for Columbus, and Carnell Tate will make big plays as he has continued to get healthier for this playoff run. I think Sayin has two passing touchdowns, and Bo Jackson gets one on the ground, continuing his great form in his freshman season.
On the defensive side, if the Buckeyes can get a lead and contain Mark Fletcher Jr., I definitely see Carson Beck throwing a pick or two, leading to some favorable field positions for the Buckeye offense. Caden Curry will continue his great form with a sack, and the linebacking duo will hit hard and keep the Miami offense in check. I think there is a chance Ohio State jumps on Miami in this one, after everything they have heard the past few weeks. The Buckeyes win in Dallas again and set up a potential huge clash with the Georgia Bulldogs if they get by the Ole Miss Rebels. Ohio State 24 Miami 13
TJ: The Buckeye defense is too much for the Hurricanes, giving Julian Sayin and the offense short fields multiple times. It won’t be a flashy offensive performance, but a surefire win thanks to the championship-level defense. Ohio State 28 Miami 10
AJ: Ohio State 24 Miami 17
Alex: Ohio State 17 Miami 3
