College Football Playoff Showdown: No. 2 Ohio State Meets No. 10 Miami in Cotton Bowl Clash
ARLINGTON, Texas - The stage is set at AT&T Stadium for a high-stakes College Football Playoff quarterfinal as No. 2 Ohio State squares off against No. 10 Miami in a matchup loaded with history, talent, and postseason intensity.
For the Buckeyes, this marks a return to familiar territory. They’re back in Arlington for the second straight year, hoping to recreate last season’s magic when they powered past Texas on this very field to punch their ticket to the national championship game.
But just like last year, Ohio State enters the playoff field with a chip on its shoulder, coming off a loss - this time at the hands of No. 1 Indiana in the Big Ten Championship.
That setback may have cost them the top seed, but it hasn’t shaken their confidence. This is a team that knows how to respond when the lights are brightest.
On the other side, Miami is riding a wave of momentum - and making a little history of its own. The Hurricanes outlasted Texas A&M in the opening round, earning their first-ever College Football Playoff win and their first major bowl appearance since 2017.
That victory wasn’t just symbolic; it was earned in the trenches. Miami’s defensive line dominated when it mattered most, and running back Mark Fletcher Jr. delivered a clutch fourth quarter to seal the deal.
With 11 wins on the season, Miami is back in the national spotlight in a way fans haven’t seen since the early 2000s.
And speaking of the early 2000s, there’s no ignoring the historical backdrop here. The last time these two programs met in the postseason?
The 2003 national championship game in the Fiesta Bowl - a game still talked about for its controversial finish. Ohio State walked away with the title that night, but Miami hasn’t forgotten.
Now, over two decades later, the Hurricanes have a chance to write a new chapter and perhaps settle the score on one of the sport’s most debated moments.
This game isn’t just about legacy, though. It’s about two programs with elite rosters, elite coaching, and something to prove.
Ohio State brings a balanced attack and playoff experience. Miami counters with a disruptive defense and a growing belief that this run might be more than just a feel-good story.
The Cotton Bowl is primed for fireworks. One team is chasing redemption after a conference title loss.
The other is trying to reclaim a place among college football’s elite. One way or another, history is about to be made in Arlington.