As the College Football Playoff quarterfinal looms, the No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes are gearing up to face the No. 10 Miami Hurricanes in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic - and somehow, the higher seed is playing the underdog card.
Let’s be clear: this isn’t your typical David vs. Goliath matchup.
Ohio State enters the game as the defending national champion, favored by nearly 10 points, and ranked second in the country. Yet, if you listen to the noise coming out of Columbus, you’d think the Buckeyes were limping into this one as a Cinderella story.
This week, Ohio State media voices like JBook have been vocal on social media, painting a picture of a team being doubted at every turn. In a post on X, JBook claimed, “All I've heard all week is Ohio State doesn't belong on the same field as Miami.
Miami supposedly has the better DL, OL, better defense. Toney is better than Jeremiah.
Better run game, better coach, better QB. OSU haven’t played anyone and they're slow and soft.”
It’s an interesting narrative - and one that’s raised some eyebrows.
The Buckeyes embracing an underdog mentality isn’t unheard of, but it’s certainly unusual in this context. They’re not just one of the top four teams in the nation - they’re No. 2, with a title to defend.
And while Miami has earned its place in the playoff, the Hurricanes are the No. 10 seed, having snuck into the field after a hard-fought season. This is a program with history and talent, no doubt, but Ohio State’s résumé speaks for itself.
Naturally, this “woe is us” stance hasn’t gone unnoticed. Miami fans have responded with plenty of fire, calling out what they see as manufactured disrespect. Even ESPN’s Kevin Clark chimed in, sarcastically highlighting the irony of the Buckeyes - a powerhouse program - casting themselves as the overlooked team.
But here’s the bottom line: Ohio State doesn’t need to sell itself short to find motivation. This is a team built to compete at the highest level, with a roster full of elite talent and a coaching staff that knows how to win in big moments. There’s no need to create a chip on the shoulder when the stakes are already this high.
That said, if the Buckeyes want to use the “nobody believes in us” card to fuel their fire, so be it. Just don’t forget - they’re not sneaking into this game. They’re expected to win it.
Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET on New Year’s Eve, and when the ball is in the air at the Cotton Bowl, talk will give way to action.
Ohio State has the chance to prove - once again - why it belongs among college football’s elite. And Miami?
They’ll be looking to crash the party.
However the narratives shake out, one thing’s for sure: this one’s going to be a battle.