Ohio State Preps for Cotton Bowl Clash with Miami: Day Talks Play-Calling, Injuries, and the Edge After Defeat
COLUMBUS, Ohio - The wait is over in Columbus. Ohio State knows its postseason path, and it runs straight through Arlington, Texas. The Buckeyes are set to face Miami in the Cotton Bowl on Dec. 31 after the Hurricanes punched their ticket with a 10-3 win over Texas A&M in the opening round of the College Football Playoff.
With the matchup now official, head coach Ryan Day met with the media to break down what’s ahead - from the quarterback of the offense (literally and figuratively) to the challenge of facing a Miami team loaded with NFL talent. Here’s what stood out.
Gabe VanSickle Steps Up at Right Guard
Ohio State’s offensive line will continue to lean on Gabe VanSickle and Josh Padilla at right guard, as Tegra Tshabola is expected to be out “probably a little while,” according to Day. It’s not ideal to be shuffling the O-line this late in the season, especially with Miami’s front seven looming, but VanSickle and Padilla have been in the mix, and the Buckeyes will need them to hold their own against a disruptive Hurricanes defense.
Play-Calling Duties: Day Takes the Lead
With offensive coordinator Brian Hartline navigating a hectic calendar, Day confirmed he’ll be stepping in more directly on play-calling duties. While Hartline will continue coaching the receivers, Day emphasized that it’ll be a collaborative effort - but ultimately, the final say will be his.
“When you’re not calling it, your eyes aren’t on the call sheet,” Day said. “You’re watching everything - the offense, the defense, the sideline. But when you’re calling it, you’re locked in.”
This won’t be a seismic shift for Day, who’s always had a hand in the offensive identity of the team. But against a Miami defense that’s fast, physical, and aggressive, every call will carry extra weight.
Sizing Up Miami: “NFL Players All Over the Field”
Day didn’t hold back when describing the challenge Miami presents.
“This is a really talented team,” he said. “They’ve got guys all over the field.”
He singled out the Hurricanes’ defense, calling it one of the most formidable units the Buckeyes have faced all year. “NFL players all over the field,” Day added. “It’ll be a huge challenge for our offense.”
And he’s not wrong. Miami’s front seven has been a problem for opposing offenses all season, and Day knows the Buckeyes will need to be sharp up front. His solution?
“Block ‘em,” he said with a grin. “Not easy.
All of them are good players. Jason Taylor’s doing a great job with those guys.”
Jeremiah Smith’s Grit and Return from Injury
Day also took a moment to spotlight wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, who battled back from a quad strain to play against Michigan. It wasn’t just a physical recovery - it was a mental one, too.
“If people really knew what he had to go through to play vs. Michigan, they’d be amazed,” Day said.
He recalled telling Smith, “You have to will yourself to be healthy.” And while Day made it clear they were going to play to win with or without him, he also told his young star, “We need you.”
Smith’s toughness hasn’t gone unnoticed, and with a matchup against a Miami team full of Florida natives - many of whom Smith knows well - expect him to be dialed in.
“He’ll be wired this week, that’s for sure,” Day said. “These guys, they know a lot of the players on the other team. It’s going to be great.”
Post-Indiana: “Everybody’s Pissed Off”
The loss to Indiana still lingers, and Day didn’t sugarcoat the team’s mindset since then.
“I don’t think there’s anything learned,” he said. “Everybody’s just moving around with an edge. Everybody’s pissed off and wants to get it right.”
There’s no time for excuses. Looking back at the Indiana game, Day kept it simple: “We didn’t get the job done.”
That edge - that frustration - might be exactly what fuels Ohio State heading into the Cotton Bowl. The Buckeyes have had time to reset, refocus, and regroup. And now, the mission is clear: be ready for Miami.
Building Trust on Defense: Patricia’s Impact
Defensive coordinator Matt Patricia has been tasked with steadying the ship on the other side of the ball, and Day praised the veteran coach for the way he’s built trust within the unit.
“It’s not just one thing,” Day said. “The first thing is building trust. His background speaks for itself.”
He also noted that Patricia has helped players improve while fostering a sense of care and connection between coaches and players - something that can make all the difference during postseason play.
No Excuses, No Distractions - Just Football
As for the structure of the playoff - whether it’s better to play in the first round or get a bye - Day isn’t interested in hypotheticals.
“You have to put a plan together and know what you’re dealing with,” he said. “We played in the Big Ten Championship Game. Other teams didn’t.”
Translation: it’s not about advantages or disadvantages. It’s about preparation.
It’s about execution. And it’s about making sure this team is ready for the moment.
What’s Next
Hartline will likely be upstairs in the booth on game day, helping guide the offense from above, while Day takes a more hands-on role with the call sheet. The Buckeyes are deep in bowl prep, facing a Miami team that’s as talented as any they’ve seen this year.
The Cotton Bowl is more than just a postseason game. It’s a measuring stick. A chance for Ohio State to respond, to reassert itself, and to show that the edge they’ve found since the Indiana game isn’t going anywhere.
And with players like Smith grinding through injuries, linemen stepping into bigger roles, and Day taking the reins on play-calling, Ohio State is gearing up for a fight.
One thing’s for sure: come Dec. 31, the Buckeyes won’t be caught flat-footed.