Cotton Bowl Preview: Defending Champ Ohio State Faces Hungry Miami in CFP Quarterfinal
ARLINGTON, Texas - The Cotton Bowl has become something of a second home for Ohio State lately - but this trip comes with even higher stakes. The Buckeyes, now the No. 2 seed in the expanded College Football Playoff, return to AT&T Stadium not just as contenders, but as defending national champions.
Standing in their way this time? A surging Miami squad making its first-ever appearance in the CFP.
This marks Ohio State’s third straight trip to the Cotton Bowl, but each one has carried a different weight. Two years ago, it was a consolation game after a tough loss to Michigan and a season that fell short of expectations.
Last year, it was a semifinal stage where the Buckeyes edged out Texas en route to a national title. Now, they’re back, looking to take the next step toward repeating - something the program has never done in the playoff era.
Senior wide receiver Carnell Tate summed up the difference: “Just more stakes than the first game I’ve ever played in here. Now it’s a bowl game with the playoffs on the line, so it just means more.”
Cornerback Davison Igbinosun echoed that sentiment, reflecting on the 14-3 loss to Missouri in that first Cotton Bowl appearance two years ago - a game that felt off from the start, with the Buckeyes missing key players like quarterback Kyle McCord (who had transferred) and All-American wideout Marvin Harrison Jr. (who opted out). “It really didn’t feel like a typical Ohio State game,” Igbinosun said. “Then last year, back in the playoffs - that was a great game.”
This year’s version of Ohio State (12-1) hasn’t played since a narrow 13-10 loss to No. 1 Indiana in the Big Ten title game on December 6. Despite the loss, the Buckeyes secured a first-round bye and enter the quarterfinals rested and refocused.
Miami, meanwhile, has taken a very different path to Arlington.
The Hurricanes (11-2), seeded No. 10, are riding a five-game win streak and coming off a gritty 10-3 win at No. 7 Texas A&M in the first round.
It’s been a dramatic turnaround for a team that, just two months ago, didn’t even know if it would make the field. After a 5-0 start, Miami dropped two of three, including a painful 26-20 overtime loss at SMU on November 1.
At that point, their playoff hopes were on life support.
Head coach Mario Cristobal pointed to that moment as a turning point. “That was a low point for us in the season,” Cristobal said.
“In that locker room, it was as simple as a decision had to be made.” The staff showed the team a silent highlight reel of their early-season dominance - no speeches, no sound, just a reminder of who they were.
“There’s nothing more powerful than the power of choice,” Cristobal said.
Now, Miami is back in Texas for its second playoff game in a row, chasing its first national title in 24 years.
Quarterback Duel: Sayin vs. Beck
This matchup also features two of the most accurate quarterbacks in the country - both with national championship pedigree.
Ohio State’s Julian Sayin, a Heisman Trophy finalist, is stepping into the spotlight after backing up Will Howard during last season’s title run. The sophomore has been lights out this year, completing 78.4% of his passes (279-of-356) for 3,323 yards, 31 touchdowns, and just six interceptions. This will be his first CFP start - but the moment doesn’t seem too big for him.
Across the field, Miami’s Carson Beck is no stranger to the big stage either. A former Georgia Bulldog, Beck was part of their back-to-back national championship teams in 2021 and 2022, even getting some late-game action in the 65-7 title win over TCU.
Since transferring to Miami, he’s been steady and efficient, completing 74.5% of his passes (277-of-372) for 3,175 yards, 26 touchdowns, and 10 picks. In his first playoff start, Beck went 14-of-20 for 103 yards and a touchdown - not flashy, but plenty effective in the windy conditions at College Station.
History on the Line
There’s no shortage of history between these two programs - and while they’ve only met once in a bowl game, it was a big one. The 2003 Fiesta Bowl, a double-overtime thriller, ended with Ohio State pulling off a stunning upset to deny Miami back-to-back titles. Most of today’s players weren’t even born yet, but that game still echoes through both programs.
Now, the stakes are just as high.
Ohio State is chasing its first set of back-to-back national championships and making its seventh CFP appearance - five of them under head coach Ryan Day. The Buckeyes also hold the distinction of winning the very first CFP title back in 2014, right here at AT&T Stadium.
For Miami, this is a chance to reassert itself on the national stage. It’s been a long road back to relevance, but a win over the defending champs would be a massive statement - and a ticket to the semifinals.
Kickoff Info:
- Matchup: No.
10 Miami vs. No.
2 Ohio State
- Bowl: Cotton Bowl - College Football Playoff Quarterfinal
- Time: 7:30 PM ET, Wednesday
- Location: AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas
- TV: ESPN
- Line/Over-Under: Ohio State favored by 9.5; Total: 40.5
This one has all the ingredients: playoff pressure, elite quarterback play, and two programs with deep championship roots. Buckle up - the Cotton Bowl is once again center stage in college football’s biggest tournament.