The College Football Playoff is down to its final eight, and while the first round didn’t exactly deliver fireworks across the board-two of the four matchups ended in blowouts-the stage is now set for a heavyweight showdown that could define this year’s postseason. Among the quarterfinal matchups, one game stands out for all the right reasons: Miami vs. Ohio State.
This one has the potential to be a classic. Not just because of the programs' pedigree, but because of the contrast in styles and what we’ve already seen from both teams. Ohio State may be the more decorated program on paper, but Miami’s defense is built to give the Buckeyes real problems-and the Hurricanes might just have the formula to pull off an upset.
Ohio State’s Vulnerability: Pressure Breaks the Buckeyes
Let’s start with what we know: Ohio State is talented, but not untouchable. That became clear in their loss to Indiana, a game that exposed cracks in the Buckeyes’ armor-specifically up front.
Freshman quarterback Julian Sayin, who’s been impressive all season, looked mortal when Indiana turned up the heat. The Hoosiers sacked him five times and consistently forced him off his spot.
Even with elite receivers like Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate combining for 189 yards and a touchdown, Sayin didn’t have the time to let routes develop deep downfield. Indiana’s defensive pressure neutralized the vertical passing game, and that’s the exact script Miami is looking to follow-only with better talent on the defensive line.
Miami’s Edge Rushers: The Game-Changers
If Indiana’s front was good enough to rattle Sayin, Miami’s front might be able to break him. The Hurricanes are led by Rueben Bain Jr., who’s made a strong case as the best edge rusher in college football this season. He was a one-man wrecking crew in the win over Texas A&M, notching three sacks and living in the backfield all afternoon.
Bain isn’t just fast-he’s powerful, with the ability to convert speed to strength in a blink. He came into the game ranked top 10 nationally in both pressures and pass rush win rate, and he backed it up with a dominant performance when it mattered most.
Lining up opposite Bain is Akheem Mesidor, who might not have Bain’s name recognition but is every bit as disruptive. Against Texas A&M, Mesidor added 1.5 sacks and racked up 10.5 total pressures.
That kind of production from both ends of the line? That’s a nightmare for any quarterback-especially a young one like Sayin who’s shown he struggles under duress.
We saw it again in the Big Ten Championship Game. Sayin was pressured 11 times, took five sacks, and completed just two of six passes for 58 yards when under pressure.
That’s not a coincidence-it’s a trend. And Miami’s front four is built to exploit it.
Miami’s Blueprint: Ugly, But Effective
Let’s be clear: Miami isn’t going to win games with offensive fireworks. They’re not trying to.
They scored just 10 points against Texas A&M, but that was enough because their defense turned the game into a street fight. That’s the Hurricanes’ identity-and it’s working.
They’re not interested in shootouts. They want to drag you into the mud, make you uncomfortable, and win the battle at the line of scrimmage.
It’s not glamorous, but it’s effective. And more importantly, it’s the exact kind of game that gives Ohio State trouble.
Indiana showed the blueprint. Pressure Sayin.
Disrupt the timing. Force mistakes.
Miami has the defensive talent to not only replicate that plan-but to take it to another level.
So while the Buckeyes may come in as the favorite, don’t be surprised if Miami flips the script. With Rueben Bain Jr. and Akheem Mesidor leading a relentless pass rush, the Hurricanes have the tools to make life miserable for Ohio State’s offense. If they do, we could be looking at a playoff shocker-and a Miami team that’s built to make a deep run by doing what they do best: making you play their game.