Miami’s pass rush was already a problem. Now, heading into next Thursday’s College Football Playoff quarterfinal against Ohio State, it might be the biggest X-factor on the field.
The Hurricanes’ defensive front has the kind of talent that can flip a game script in a hurry. And with Ohio State missing a key piece on the offensive line, that matchup just got a lot more interesting.
Buckeyes Down a Starter Up Front
Ohio State will be without starting right guard Tegra Tshabola, who’s sidelined for at least the next couple of weeks due to injury. That means the Buckeyes will turn to a rotation at right guard, with redshirt freshman Gabe VanSickle and redshirt sophomore Josh Padilla both expected to see time, according to head coach Ryan Day.
VanSickle has seen action in six games this season, while Padilla has logged snaps in 10 games this year and 14 total over the past two seasons. So while both have experience, neither has been a full-time starter - and now they’re stepping into a playoff game against one of the most aggressive and athletic defensive lines in the country.
Trial by fire doesn’t begin to cover it.
Miami’s Defensive Front Can Wreck a Game Plan
Let’s be clear: Ohio State is loaded. This team spent most of the season ranked No. 1 for a reason.
Caleb Downs is a game-changer in the secondary. Jeremiah Smith is already being talked about as a future top-five NFL Draft pick.
Arvell Reese is a force in the front seven. The Buckeyes have elite talent across the board.
But talent doesn’t always mask matchup issues - and this game could come down to whether Ohio State’s offensive line can hold up against Miami’s relentless front.
Rueben Bain, Akheem Mesidor, and David Blay headline a Hurricanes pass rush that doesn’t just bring pressure - it brings problems. If they can get to quarterback Julian Sayin early and often, they’ll throw a wrench into Ohio State’s timing and rhythm. That, in turn, could neutralize the Buckeyes’ biggest weapons on the outside.
The Buckeyes Have Something to Prove in the Trenches
Here’s the thing: Ohio State hasn’t faced many elite defensive fronts this season. The Big Ten schedule didn’t do them many favors in terms of battle-testing the offensive line. Penn State’s midseason coaching change and Michigan’s injury issues left the Buckeyes largely unchallenged up front.
In fact, the two times they did face high-level defensive lines - against Texas and Indiana - the offense sputtered. Ohio State managed just 24 total points in those two games.
The Texas game came in Week 1, Sayin’s first start, so there was some understandable growing pain. But the Indiana game came nearly three months later, and the line still looked vulnerable.
Now, with Tshabola out and two backups rotating in, the pressure ramps up. Ryan Day can scheme up all the answers he wants, but he can’t block Rueben Bain off the edge.
What It All Means
This game is going to be won - or lost - in the trenches. If Miami’s defensive front can consistently collapse the pocket and disrupt Sayin’s timing, the Hurricanes won’t just slow down Ohio State’s offense - they’ll force the Buckeyes to play left-handed. That means fewer deep shots, more rushed throws, and a lot more pressure on Sayin to create outside of structure.
For Ohio State, the challenge is clear: protect your quarterback and give your playmakers time to work. That’s easier said than done when you’re down a starter and facing one of the most disruptive fronts in the country.
The Buckeyes have the talent. But Miami has the matchup edge - and in the postseason, that can be everything.