Ohio State vs. Miami: Cotton Bowl Quarterfinal Sets Stage for High-Stakes CFP Clash
The road to the national championship takes a dramatic turn on New Year’s Eve as No. 2 Ohio State begins its title defense in the Cotton Bowl quarterfinal against a surging No.
10 Miami squad. For the Buckeyes, the mission is clear: win three games and bring home the program’s 10th national title.
But before they can think about lifting another trophy, they’ll have to get past a Hurricanes team that’s playing with house money-and a whole lot of belief.
This isn’t just a playoff game. It’s a rematch that’s been simmering for over two decades.
A Flashback to 2002-and a Shot at Redemption
The last time Ohio State and Miami met on a stage this big, it was the 2002 Fiesta Bowl-a national title game that’s still talked about in college football circles. That double-overtime thriller ended with the Buckeyes pulling off a stunning upset over a heavily favored Hurricanes team, in a game that remains one of the most debated finishes in BCS history.
Now, they meet again with a trip to the same bowl on the line-this time as a College Football Playoff semifinal. The Cotton Bowl winner will head west to Arizona for the Fiesta Bowl and a shot at the national championship game. The stakes couldn’t be higher.
What’s Next: A Heavyweight SEC Showdown Awaits
Whoever emerges from the Cotton Bowl will face an SEC powerhouse in the Fiesta Bowl semifinal. The opponent?
Either No. 3 Georgia or No.
6 Ole Miss-two teams that know each other well and are set for a high-stakes rematch in the Sugar Bowl quarterfinal.
Georgia, fresh off an SEC title and a 12-1 campaign, enters the playoff with a defense that just clamped down on Alabama in the conference championship. Under Kirby Smart, the Bulldogs are chasing their third national title in five years, and they’ve looked every bit the part of a modern dynasty.
But don’t overlook Ole Miss. The Rebels are also 12-1 and come into the Sugar Bowl with momentum after dismantling Tulane in the first round.
Their only blemish? A wild 43-35 loss to Georgia earlier in the season.
Now, under Coach Pete Golding, they get another crack at the Bulldogs-and a chance to flip the script.
Whoever wins that SEC slugfest will roll into the Fiesta Bowl with serious momentum-and a date with either the Buckeyes or Hurricanes.
The Path to the Title: What’s at Stake
Here’s how the rest of the College Football Playoff is shaping up:
- Cotton Bowl Quarterfinal: Miami vs. Ohio State - Dec. 31 at 7:30 p.m.
ET on ESPN
- Sugar Bowl Quarterfinal: Georgia vs.
Ole Miss - Jan. 1
- Fiesta Bowl Semifinal: Winner of Cotton vs. Winner of Sugar - Jan. 8 at 7:30 p.m.
ET on ESPN
- Peach Bowl Semifinal: TBD - Jan.
9
- National Championship: Jan. 19 at 7:30 p.m.
ET on ESPN
The winner of the Cotton Bowl not only moves one step closer to a national title-they’ll also get a shot at knocking off an SEC juggernaut in the desert. Whether it’s Ohio State continuing its quest for back-to-back championships or Miami reigniting the echoes of its storied past, this quarterfinal is more than just a game. It’s a statement.
And come kickoff in Dallas, the countdown to college football’s final four will officially be on.