NEWYou can now listen to Pakinomist articles!
Miami and Ohio State are no strangers to playing each other in big games.
On Wednesday, the two teams will play each other in the Cotton Bowl Classic at 7:30 PM ET at AT&T Stadium. Ohio State, which is 12-1 and the No. 2 seed in the College Football Playoff, enjoyed a bye through the first round as it looks to defend its title.
Miami, 10-2 and the No. 10 seed in the College Football Playoff, upset No. 7 Texas A&M on the road in the first round in a defensive battle, winning 10-3.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON Pakinomist
(Left) Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Julian Sayin (10) looks on against the Indiana Hoosiers during the 2025 Big Ten championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana, on Dec. 6, 2025. (Right) Miami Hurricanes quarterback Carson Beck (11) looks on in the Texas and A Hurrica game between the Aggies and A Hurrica Field. Station, Texas, on December 20, 2025. (Aaron Doster/Imagn Images; Jerome Miron/Imagn Images)
The Hurricanes’ defense had nine sacks on the day, with potential first-round pick Rueben Bain Jr. had three sacks and four tackles for loss. Keionte Scott had 10 total tackles with two sacks and three tackles for loss as well.
Quarterback Carson Beck was solid, yet unspectacular, in the win for Miami. He completed 14 of 20 passes for 103 yards and a touchdown, connecting with Malachi Toney on an 11-yard pass late in the fourth quarter to give Miami a lead they would not relinquish.
Miami’s win over Texas A&M was their first ever in the College Football Playoff.
Ohio State, on the other hand, is coming off a crushing 13-10 loss to Indiana in the Big Ten championship game. They are well-rested as they earned a first-round bye, but will already take a different path to the College Football Playoff championship than last year.
TEXAS’ STEVE SARKISIAN QUESTIONS NCAA’S RULES ON PLAYING AGENTS IN NIL WORLD: ‘MIGHT BE THEIR COLLEGE ROOMMATE’
Miami Hurricanes quarterback Carson Beck (11) passes against the Pittsburgh Panthers in the first quarter at Acrisure Stadium on Nov. 29, 2025. (Charles LeClaire/Imagn Images)
Last season, Ohio State did not have a bye when they were the No. 6 seed. They dominated Tennessee, winning 42-17 in the opening round, helping build momentum for their eventual championship run.
This year, however, Ohio State enters the quarterfinals on the back of a loss and a bye.
The Buckeyes are led by their defense, which is one of the best in the nation. Ohio State has given up the fewest opposing touchdowns (10) and fewest yards per possession. match (213.5) in the country.
They are led by safety Caleb Downs and linebackers Arvell Reese and Sonny Styles, all three of whom could be first-round picks in the NFL Draft.
USC COACH LINCOLN RILEY PRAISES NOTRE DAME FOR ENDING 96-YEAR RIVALRY WITH SHOCKING SCHEDULE CHANGE
Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jeremiah Smith (4) celebrates a catch during the NCAA football game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on Nov. 1, 2025. (IMAGIN)
On the other side of the ball, Ohio State has perhaps the nation’s best wide receiver duo in Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate. Smith leads the team with 80 receptions, 1,086 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns. Tate has 48 catches for 838 yards and nine touchdowns.
Another difference from this year’s Ohio State team is the quarterback. Will Howard moved on to the NFL, leaving Julian Sayin as the starter.
Sayin has been remarkably efficient, completing 78% of his passes for 3,323 yards with 31 touchdowns and six interceptions.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE Pakinomist APP
Bundle FOX One and FOX Nation to stream the entire FOX Nation library plus live FOX News, Sports and Entertainment at the lowest price of the year. The offer ends on 4 January 2026. (Fox One; Fox Nation)
The Buckeyes are hoping their playoff experience can carry them to another bowl victory over Miami.
This matchup will be the sixth meeting between these two programs, with the most notable being the Fiesta Bowl in 2003. Ohio State beat Miami 31-21 in double overtime to win the national championship.
Ohio State is 3-2 all-time against Miami, although one of their wins in 2010 was vacated, so technically the series is 2-2.
