When the Ohio State Buckeyes take the field against the Miami Hurricanes in the Cotton Bowl Classic, the battle up front might just decide who moves on - and who goes home. For all the talent and firepower Ohio State brings to the table, there’s one area that’s been a consistent thorn in their side this season: handling elite defensive lines.
We’ve already seen what happens when the Buckeyes run into a front that can bring the heat. Back in Week One, they squared off with a Texas team that came in as the preseason No.
- Ohio State walked away with the win, but it was far from a smooth ride.
The offense was held to just 203 total yards, and it took a circus catch from junior wide receiver Carnell Tate to seal the deal. That game served as an early warning: when the Buckeyes face a defensive line that can disrupt timing and collapse the pocket, things get dicey.
Fast forward to their showdown with Indiana, and the issues resurfaced - this time with bigger consequences. Against a physical Hoosiers front, quarterback Julian Sayin spent most of the night under duress.
He managed to throw for 264 yards, but 55 of those came on a desperation heave to Jeremiah Smith at the buzzer. The run game never found its footing, and the lack of balance proved costly, as Ohio State fell short in the Big Ten Championship and missed out on a Rose Bowl berth.
Now, the stakes are even higher. The reigning national champs are staring down a Miami defensive line that might be the most relentless they’ve faced all season.
Leading the charge for the Hurricanes are edge rushers Rueben Bain Jr. and Akheem Mesidor - a one-two punch that can wreck a gameplan in a hurry. Bain has been a force all year, racking up 42 tackles, 7.5 sacks, a forced fumble, and even an interception. He’s explosive off the edge and plays with a mean streak - the kind of guy who doesn’t just get to the quarterback, but makes him feel it.
Then there’s Mesidor, who’s quietly been just as disruptive. With 51 tackles, 8.5 sacks, and four forced fumbles, he’s the kind of player who lives for the big moment. He’s got that old-school, ball-hawking mentality - if the ball is loose, he’s coming for it.
And it’s not just the edges. Miami’s interior line is deep and physical, rotating in fresh bodies who can hold the point of attack and keep offensive linemen honest. This unit doesn’t just pressure quarterbacks - they change the entire rhythm of an offense.
So here we are. New Year’s Day.
Cotton Bowl Classic. Ohio State knows the formula: if they’re going to punch their ticket to the College Football Playoff Semifinals, they have to win the trenches.
Period.
Because if they don’t? They’ll be in for a four-quarter slugfest with a Miami team that thrives in the mud - and isn’t afraid to drag you down with them.