Cotton Bowl Preview: Can Miami’s Defense Test Ohio State’s Championship Resolve?
The Cotton Bowl is here, and with it comes a matchup that’s got more layers than your average late-December football game. On one sideline, you’ve got Mario Cristobal and a Miami program that’s clawed its way back into national relevance. On the other, Ryan Day leads an Ohio State team that isn’t just playing for a win-it’s defending a national title and the weight of sky-high expectations.
Let’s be clear: Miami has already exceeded what many expected this season. Just making it to a New Year’s Six bowl is a big deal for the Hurricanes.
But for Ohio State? This isn’t a celebration-it’s a checkpoint.
Anything short of a win here would be seen as a stumble, and that’s the kind of pressure that comes with wearing the crown.
Most analysts and fans have chalked this one up as a comfortable win for the Buckeyes. On paper, they’ve got the firepower, the pedigree, and the momentum. But games aren’t played on paper, and there are a few cracks in Ohio State’s armor that Miami could absolutely exploit-especially on the defensive side.
Former analyst David Pollack didn’t mince words when he pointed out the Buckeyes’ key to success: “They have a zero percent chance of being successful if Bo Jackson in the running game doesn’t get going.” He wasn’t calling for a 300-yard rushing explosion, but he made it clear-Ohio State’s offense needs balance, and hitting the 100-yard mark on the ground is non-negotiable.
Pollack’s point digs into something deeper: when Ohio State has struggled, it’s been against teams that could control the tempo with a strong run game and balanced attack. Indiana showed that earlier this season.
That wasn’t a meltdown by the Buckeyes, but it did reveal a vulnerability. And if Miami’s coaching staff is paying attention-and they are-that’s where they’ll aim their shot.
Enter Reuben Bain Jr. and Keionte Scott, two of the biggest reasons Miami’s defense has been a force this year. If you watched the Hurricanes dominate Texas A&M, you saw these two take over the game.
Bain racked up three sacks, Scott added two, and the Aggies never found a rhythm. That kind of defensive disruption, especially on the road, is rare-and it’s exactly the kind of performance that could flip the Cotton Bowl on its head.
Bain, in particular, has been a game-wrecker all season. With 7.5 sacks, a forced fumble, and even an interception to his name, he’s not just a pass-rusher-he’s a playmaker.
His ability to get into the backfield and blow up plays before they develop is the kind of thing that keeps offensive coordinators up at night. And if Ohio State’s offensive line slips up even once, Bain will be there to make them pay.
That brings us back to Bo Jackson. The freshman running back has all the tools-speed, vision, and power.
But this won’t be a game where talent alone carries the load. If Ohio State can’t establish the run and keep Miami’s front seven honest, it could put too much on the shoulders of the passing game.
And against a defense that thrives on pressure and chaos, that’s a dangerous place to be.
Ryan Day knows what’s at stake. This isn’t just another bowl game-it’s a test of whether his team is still built for championship football. And for Miami, it’s a chance to crash the party and prove they’re ready to contend with the sport’s elite.
So while the odds may favor the Buckeyes, the path to victory isn’t as smooth as it seems. If Bain and Scott bring the same energy they did against Texas A&M, and if Bo Jackson can’t get rolling early, this Cotton Bowl could turn into a dogfight.
And that’s what makes this one worth watching.