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Miami and Ohio State University They are no strangers to playing against each other in big matches.
On Wednesday, the two teams will meet in the Cotton Bowl Classic at AT&T Stadium at 7:30 p.m. ET. Ohio State is currently 12-1 and the No. 2 seed in the College Football Playoff, having received a bye in the first round and looking to defend its title.
Miami, who is The No. 10 seed in the College Football Playoff, 10-2, defeated seventh-ranked Texas A&M 10-3 in a defensive struggle on the road in the first round.
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(L) Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Julian Saine (10) watches the 2025 Big Ten Championship Game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 6, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Right) Miami Hurricanes quarterback Carson Baker (11) watches the game between the Texas A&M Aggies and Hurricanes at Kyle Field on December 6, 2025 in College Station, Texas. 20, 2025. (Aaron Dorst/Imagn Images; Jerome Miron/Imagn Images)
The Hurricanes defense allowed nine sacks on the day, with potential first-round pick Rueben Bain Jr. recording a team-high three sacks and four tackles for loss. Keonte Scott had 10 total tackles, including two sacks and three tackles for a loss.
Quarterback Carson Baker had a solid but unspectacular performance in Miami’s win. He completed 14 of 20 passes for 103 yards and a touchdown, and connected with Malachi Toney on an 11-yard pass late in the fourth quarter to give Miami a lead they couldn’t relinquish.
Miami’s win ends Texas A&M University This is their first trip to the College Football Playoff.
On the other hand, Ohio State was defeated 13-10 Fly to Indiana in the Big Ten Tournament. They’re well rested as they earned a first-round bye, but they’re already on a different path to the College Football Playoff title than they were last year.
Miami Hurricanes quarterback Carson Beck (11) throws a pass during the first quarter against the Pittsburgh Panthers at Acrisure Stadium on Nov. 29, 2025. (Charles Leclerc/Imagn Images)
Last season, Ohio State didn’t get a bye because they were the sixth seed. They defeated Tennessee 42-17 in the first round, setting the stage for the eventual championship.
This year, however, Ohio State reached the quarterfinals after a loss and a bye.
The Buckeyes are led by a defense that is one of the best in the country. Ohio State allowed the fewest opponent touchdowns (10) and the fewest yards per game (213.5) in the nation.
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.
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Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jeremiah Smith (4) celebrates catching a ball during an NCAA football game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Ohio Stadium on November 1, 2025 in Columbus. (picture)
On the other side of the ball, Ohio State may have the best wide receiver tandem in the country in Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate. Smith leads the team with 80 receptions, 1,086 yards and 11 touchdowns. Tate had 48 catches for 838 yards and nine touchdowns.
Another difference from this year’s Ohio State team is the quarterback. Will Howard continues National Football Leagueleaving Julian Sayin as the starter.
Sayin was very efficient, completing 78% of his passes, advancing 3,323 yards, 31 touchdowns, and 6 interceptions.
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The Buckeyes hope their playoff experience will lead them to another victory over Miami.
The game will be the sixth meeting between the two programs, the most notable of which was the 2003 Fiesta Bowl. Ohio State defeated 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.
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