Ohio State Eyes the Cotton Bowl: Key Questions Ahead of the 12-Team Playoff
The second year of the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff is finally here, and Ohio State fans have their sights set on the Cotton Bowl. But before the Buckeyes can lock in on their opponent for the Dec. 31 showdown, there’s a first-round game in College Station that will decide who’s coming to Dallas: No.
7 Texas A&M vs. No.
10 Miami.
It’s one of four opening matchups this weekend, with No. 8 Oklahoma hosting No.
9 Alabama on Friday, followed by three games on Saturday - including No. 6 Ole Miss vs.
No. 11 Tulane and No.
5 Oregon vs. No.
12 James Madison.
As the bracket begins to take shape, Buckeye fans are asking the right questions. Let’s dig into some of the biggest ones ahead of the postseason push.
Who’s the better matchup for Ohio State: Miami or Texas A&M?
It’s a fair question - and not an easy one.
On paper, Texas A&M and Miami mirror each other in two critical areas: the defensive line and the quarterback position. And both could pose serious problems for Ohio State if they advance.
Let’s start in the trenches. Texas A&M leads the nation with 41 sacks.
That’s not a typo. This front is ferocious, led by SEC Defensive Player of the Year Cashius Howell, who’s been a nightmare for opposing tackles all season.
Miami isn’t far behind with 34 sacks of their own, anchored by Rueben Bain Jr., a likely first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. He’s paired with Akheem Mesidor, another All-ACC edge rusher who brings speed and power off the edge.
That’s a lot of heat coming from both sides.
At quarterback, both teams have flashed brilliance - and struggled with turnovers. Texas A&M’s Marcel Reed was a Heisman contender for much of the year, but he’s cooled off lately, tossing at least two interceptions in three of his last five games.
Miami’s Carson Beck started the year red-hot, with signature wins over Notre Dame, Florida State, and others. But in their two losses?
Six interceptions. That’s the kind of volatility that can swing a playoff game in either direction.
So who would Ohio State rather see?
If you’re looking purely at matchups, it’s almost a coin flip. But when the teams are this evenly matched at the line of scrimmage and under center, location starts to matter.
Facing Texas A&M in their home state - in Dallas - is less than ideal. That’s why Miami might be the slightly more favorable draw.
Not because they’re less talented, but because avoiding a quasi-road game in Texas could be the difference in a tight playoff battle.
Will Ohio State add a running back from the transfer portal?
Don’t count on it - at least not as a top priority.
Ohio State’s run game has quietly turned a corner as the season’s gone on. What started as a committee led by sophomore James Peoples and senior CJ Donaldson has evolved into a youth movement. Freshmen Bo Jackson and Isaiah West have made a strong case to be the future of the Buckeye backfield, and that future might be arriving sooner than expected.
It wasn’t just about getting reps. As Jackson and West became more comfortable, the production followed. The midseason lull in the ground game wasn’t entirely on the backs, but their emergence has helped balance the offense down the stretch.
With Peoples expected to return and Jackson and West gaining momentum, the Buckeyes look set at the top of the depth chart. If they do dip into the portal, it would likely be for a situational back - someone who can fill the shoes of Donaldson as a short-yardage or pass-protection specialist.
Bottom line: Ohio State’s not scrambling. They’ve got young talent, and it’s starting to click.
What’s the biggest concern for Ohio State heading into the CFP?
Let’s not overthink this one - it’s the offensive line.
Yes, the unit has held up for most of the season. But the Big Ten Championship Game against Indiana raised some red flags.
Quarterback Julian Sayin was sacked five times and pressured 14 more. That’s not the kind of stat line you want heading into a playoff that features some of the best defensive fronts in the country.
Whether it’s Miami or Texas A&M in the Cotton Bowl, or a potential matchup with Georgia, Oregon, Texas Tech or Indiana down the line, the common thread is pressure. These are teams that can collapse pockets and force quarterbacks into mistakes.
Sayin, a redshirt freshman, has shown poise beyond his years. But no quarterback - no matter how talented - thrives under constant duress.
If Ohio State wants to make a serious run, the offensive line has to be better. The margin for error shrinks in the postseason, and protection becomes paramount.
The Buckeyes have the weapons. They have the quarterback.
Now it’s on the big men up front to give them a chance.
Final Thought
Ohio State’s path to the national title is clear - but it’s not easy. The Cotton Bowl looms, and whether it’s Miami or Texas A&M, the Buckeyes will face a physical, aggressive defense right out of the gate.
The good news? They’ve got the talent to match up.
The question now is whether they can execute when it matters most.