Miami Hurricanes Return to Texas with Eyes on the Prize: A CFP Clash with Ohio State Awaits
GRAPEVINE, Texas - The Miami Hurricanes are back in familiar territory-and they’ve brought some unfinished business with them.
Just over a week removed from their statement win over Texas A&M in College Station, Miami has returned to the Lone Star State for a much bigger stage: a College Football Playoff quarterfinal showdown with Ohio State at the Cotton Bowl. And make no mistake-this isn’t just another bowl trip. This is a playoff game, and the Hurricanes are treating it like one.
“I’m excited for the opportunity,” said safety Jakobe Thomas, who knows a thing or two about the Buckeyes after facing them last year with Tennessee. “Love the environment, but we’re here to be 1-0. Taking everything day by day and just ready to go out.”
That “1-0” mindset has been a rallying cry for Miami all season. No looking ahead, no dwelling on the past-just the next play, the next game, the next opportunity. And now, that opportunity is massive: a shot at one of college football’s blue-bloods in a high-stakes postseason battle.
Offensive lineman Anez Cooper echoed the team’s focused approach. “We’re excited.
We’re looking at it as a playoff game,” he said. “We’re not really focused on it being a bowl game, but we’re prepared.
We’re excited. We’re ready to compete.”
The Hurricanes touched down in Texas on Sunday evening, settling into their team hotel after a week of intense preparation. They’ll get two practices under their belts before kickoff on Wednesday night at AT&T Stadium-the home of the Dallas Cowboys and one of the sport’s grandest stages.
But don’t expect the glitz of an NFL venue or the pressure of the playoff spotlight to rattle this group. According to Thomas, the Hurricanes are sticking to what’s worked.
“It’s been the same,” he said. “We’re the same team every week, no matter who we play, where we’re playing, and we’re going to prepare the same way and be the same team we’ve been all year.”
That consistency has been Miami’s calling card-and it’ll need to be on full display against an Ohio State squad loaded with talent from top to bottom. Thomas, who’s already faced the Buckeyes once in the postseason, knows what’s coming.
“They’re definitely a talented group,” he said. “They’ve got a lot of talent from depth-starters, guys on the bench-all through the depth.”
The Hurricanes aren’t just happy to be here. They’re here to compete. And if their recent trip to Texas was any indication, they’re more than capable of making noise on this stage.
Wednesday night, under the bright lights of AT&T Stadium, they’ll get their shot.