Cotton Bowl Preview: Ohio State Looks to Defend Its Crown Against Miami
The Buckeyes are back on the big stage, and make no mistake - they’ve got their eyes locked on another national title. After a near-perfect season and a narrow stumble in the Big Ten Championship, Ohio State enters the College Football Playoff as the No. 2 seed, set to clash with No. 10 Miami in the Cotton Bowl on New Year’s Eve.
It’s a classic postseason matchup with serious stakes: a powerhouse program trying to defend its title, led by a head coach who’s built a modern juggernaut in Columbus.
The Game
- Matchup: No. 2 Ohio State vs.
No. 10 Miami
- Bowl: Cotton Bowl (Arlington, TX)
- Date: Wednesday, December 31
- Time: 7:30 PM ET
- TV: ESPN
- Line: Ohio State -9.5
- Over/Under: 42.5 (FanDuel)
Ryan Day’s Machine Rolls On
Since taking the reins in 2018, Ryan Day has done more than just keep the Buckeyes relevant - he’s elevated them. With an 82-11 record and a national title already under his belt, Day has turned Ohio State into a perennial title contender with a system that blends elite recruiting, aggressive offense, and a defense that’s quietly become one of the most reliable units in the country.
This year’s squad ran the table in the regular season, knocking off Texas in Week 1, grinding out a tough road win at Illinois, and - perhaps most importantly - finally snapping their losing streak against Michigan. That win alone felt like a changing of the tide in the rivalry.
But the Big Ten Championship didn’t go as planned. A 13-10 loss to Indiana in a defensive slugfest cost them the conference crown, but not a playoff spot. Now, they’re the No. 2 seed with a clear path to defend their title - if they can get past a dangerous Miami team first.
Offensive Firepower: Sayin and Smith Lead the Way
At the heart of Ohio State’s offensive success is quarterback Julian Sayin, who’s been nothing short of surgical all season. The numbers speak for themselves: 279 completions on 356 attempts, a staggering 78.4% completion rate, over 3,300 yards through the air, 31 touchdowns, and just six interceptions. His 182.1 passer rating isn’t just impressive - it’s elite, especially when you consider the caliber of defenses he’s faced.
Sayin’s efficiency has been boosted by a deep and talented receiving corps, headlined by Jeremiah Smith, who’s quickly become one of the most feared wideouts in college football. With 80 catches for 1,086 yards and 11 touchdowns, Smith has been Sayin’s go-to guy in big moments. His route running, physicality, and yards-after-catch ability make him a matchup nightmare.
But Smith isn’t doing it alone. Carnell Tate has emerged as a big-play threat, averaging 17.5 yards per catch with nine touchdowns.
Tight end Max Klare has also been a reliable target in the middle of the field, adding 448 yards and two scores. Add in contributions from Brandon Inniss, Bo Jackson out of the backfield, and Will Kacmarek at tight end, and you’ve got a passing game that’s as balanced as it is explosive.
Ground Game: By Committee, But Effective
Ohio State’s run game hasn’t featured a single dominant back, but rather a deep rotation that’s kept defenses guessing. Bo Jackson leads the way with 1,035 yards on 168 carries - a healthy 6.2 yards per attempt - and five touchdowns. He’s a physical, downhill runner who sets the tone early.
Behind him, James Peoples and Isaiah West have both been efficient in limited touches, while C.J. Donaldson has carved out a role as a short-yardage and red-zone specialist, punching in 10 touchdowns on just 89 carries. It’s a group that may not have a Heisman candidate, but collectively, they’ve been productive and dependable.
What’s at Stake
This is a legacy-defining stretch for Ryan Day and his program. Winning one national title is hard.
Repeating? That puts you in rarefied air.
The Buckeyes have the talent, the coaching, and the experience to do it - but first, they’ll need to handle a Miami team that’s playing with nothing to lose.
With Sayin playing at a near-Heisman level, Smith torching secondaries, and a defense that’s proven it can win gritty games, Ohio State enters the Cotton Bowl as a 9.5-point favorite. But in a playoff setting, nothing is guaranteed.
The Buckeyes have been here before. Now it’s about finishing the job - again.