The Miami Hurricanes are headed to the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic after gutting out a 10-3 win over No. 7 Texas A&M, a game that was sealed by a clutch interception from freshman Bryce Fitzgerald.
It was the kind of gritty, defensive battle that Miami fans have come to appreciate-and it earned the ‘Canes a date with the defending national champions, No. 2 Ohio State, in what promises to be a heavyweight showdown in Dallas.
This matchup carries some history-and a little baggage. These two programs have met five times, though only four officially count.
The most infamous meeting? The 2003 Fiesta Bowl, where a controversial pass interference call in overtime cost Miami a shot at back-to-back national titles.
The all-time series is tied at two apiece, with Miami’s most recent win coming in 2011-a 24-6 victory at home. But this one’s about more than history.
It’s about a Miami team trying to prove it belongs on the national stage again, and an Ohio State squad looking to defend its crown.
Let’s start with the Buckeyes, who roll into this game off a 12-1 season. Their only blemish came in the Big Ten title game against No.
1 Indiana. But make no mistake-this team is loaded.
At the center of it all is Julian Sayin, a Heisman finalist and one of the most efficient quarterbacks in college football history. As a first-year starter, Sayin has been nothing short of spectacular.
He’s thrown for over 3,300 yards and 31 touchdowns, while completing a staggering 78.4% of his passes-good enough to break the NCAA single-season record set by Bo Nix in 2023. Sayin’s poise, accuracy, and decision-making have made Ohio State’s offense one of the most dangerous in the country.
And he’s got weapons. Lots of them.
Jeremiah Smith, a South Florida native, has been a nightmare for defenses all season. He’s hauled in 80 catches for 1,086 yards and 11 touchdowns.
That’s back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons for the sophomore, who’s already being talked about as an NFL-ready talent. His partner in crime, Carnell Tate, isn’t far behind-48 receptions, 838 yards, and nine touchdowns.
Together, they form one of the most explosive receiving duos in college football.
“They’re NFL prototypes,” said Miami head coach Mario Cristobal. “They separate, they block, they play hard. It’s a complete group.”
Ohio State’s ground game is no slouch either. Freshman running back Lamar “Bo” Jackson has already crossed the 1,000-yard mark. He brings power, vision, and breakaway speed-everything you want in a backfield anchor.
So how does Miami slow all of that down?
It starts up front. The blueprint is there.
In Ohio State’s lone loss, Sayin was under siege-sacked five times, with the Buckeyes giving up nine tackles for loss. That’s the kind of pressure that can unravel even the most polished quarterbacks.
Enter Akheem Mesidor and Rueben Bain Jr.
Against Texas A&M, the Miami defensive ends were relentless. They combined for 4.5 sacks, 10 total tackles, and even blocked a field goal. If they can replicate that kind of disruption, Sayin’s rhythm could be thrown off just enough to tilt the game.
On the back end, Miami’s secondary is coming off a strong showing. They held Texas A&M’s top receivers-Mario Craver and KC Concepcion-to under 100 yards each.
Concepcion, a dynamic AP All-American, was limited to just 33 yards, his lowest output of the season. That’s a testament to the work of Keionte Scott, Jakobe Thomas, and the rising star, Bryce Fitzgerald.
Fitzgerald’s two-pick performance against the Aggies gave him six on the year-making him just the 10th Hurricane in the last 50 years to hit that mark.
Defensive coordinator Corey Hetherman knows the challenge ahead.
“Any play could be explosive with that group,” Hetherman said. “We’ve got to be physical, disciplined, and take it one snap at a time.”
Offensively, Miami will need more from quarterback Carson Beck. The sixth-year senior managed just 103 yards on 14-of-20 passing against Texas A&M. Yes, it was a windy day in College Station, but against Ohio State’s elite defense, there’s no margin for error.
The Buckeyes are statistically dominant on that side of the ball. They lead the nation in points allowed per game (8.2) and pass yards allowed (129.1), and they’re top five in rushing defense (84.5 yards per game). This unit is fast, physical, and opportunistic.
Beck’s connection with offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson has been a stabilizing force for Miami’s offense. Dawson praised Beck’s ability to stay calm and offer valuable in-game feedback.
“He sees things and communicates them in real time,” Dawson said. “That kind of poise is huge in close games.”
But if Beck struggles again, the Hurricanes may have to lean on junior running back Mark Fletcher Jr., who’s coming off a career-best 172-yard performance. Fletcher averaged over 10 yards per carry against Texas A&M and was the engine that kept Miami’s offense moving. He’ll need to be just as effective against a front seven that includes senior defensive end Caden Curry (11 sacks) and junior linebacker Arvell Reese (6.5 sacks), who’s widely projected as the top defensive player in the 2026 NFL Draft.
And don’t forget about Caleb Downs. The junior safety is a versatile weapon in Ohio State’s secondary, capable of making plays in coverage or flying downhill on a blitz. He’s got 40 tackles and two picks this season-and he’s always around the ball.
Cristobal likes where his team is mentally heading into this one.
“I feel like when things get tough, that’s when we’re at our best,” he said.
They’ll need to be. Because this isn’t just another bowl game-it’s a measuring stick.
A chance for Miami to show it can hang with the best. A chance to rewrite the narrative.
The Hurricanes have the talent. They’ve shown the grit. Now it’s about putting it all together against a team that’s been the gold standard in college football.
The stage is set. Let’s see who answers the bell.