When Ohio State and Miami meet under the bright lights of AT&T Stadium on Wednesday night in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic, it’ll be more than just a College Football Playoff Quarterfinal - it’s a clash between two of college football’s most tradition-rich programs, with a history that stretches from iconic championship moments to hard-fought regular season battles. And while the names and faces have changed, the stakes are as high as ever.
Let’s dive into the key numbers and storylines that could shape this heavyweight showdown.
2019: The Day Era and a Playoff Pedigree
Since Ryan Day took the reins in 2019, Ohio State has been a model of consistency at the highest level. No program has punched more tickets to the College Football Playoff in that span than the Buckeyes.
This marks their fifth appearance in the last seven seasons - and their seventh in the last 12 years. That’s not just staying relevant; that’s staying elite.
25: A Long Layoff, A Fresh Start
It’s been 25 days since Ohio State last took the field, when they handled Indiana in the Big Ten Championship. That kind of break can be a double-edged sword - enough time to rest and reset, but also long enough to potentially lose rhythm. How the Buckeyes come out of the gate will be telling.
4: Elite Company in the 12-Team Era
This is just the second year of the expanded 12-team Playoff, and already Ohio State is one of only four teams to qualify in both seasons. That’s a testament to sustained excellence in a landscape where consistency is tough to come by. The Big Ten has flexed its muscle in this format too - Indiana and Oregon are also back, joining the Buckeyes among the final 12.
Should Ohio State advance, a potential Semifinal date with Georgia or Ole Miss looms. But first, Miami.
27-10: Day’s Record vs. the Best
Ryan Day’s record against ranked opponents is more than just solid - it’s elite. At 27-10 overall, including a 16-9 mark against Top 10 teams and an 8-7 record against Top 5 opponents, Day has proven he can go toe-to-toe with the best in the country. And with nine wins in their last 10 games against ranked foes, the Buckeyes are entering this game with momentum and confidence.
Day is already etched into Ohio State lore as one of just five head coaches to win a national title, joining legends like Paul Brown, Woody Hayes, Jim Tressel, and Urban Meyer. Now, he’s chasing something even more rare: a second.
3: Familiar Turf, Familiar Stakes
This is the third straight season Ohio State is playing a bowl game at AT&T Stadium - and the Buckeyes have made themselves right at home in Arlington. They’re 3-1 all-time in the Cotton Bowl and, of course, won it all there in 2014. There’s something about that building that brings out the best in the Buckeyes.
And speaking of threes - Day is one of only three active head coaches with a national championship ring, alongside Kirby Smart and Dabo Swinney. A second title would put him in rarified air.
4: Defense Making a Difference
Defense often decides championships, and Ohio State’s has shown it can do more than just get stops. In their three Cotton Bowl wins, the Buckeyes have scored four defensive touchdowns. That kind of opportunistic play can swing a game - and in the Playoff, one big defensive moment can be the difference between advancing and going home.
10: Battle-Tested Buckeyes
Experience matters in the postseason, and Ohio State has plenty of it. Ten players on the roster have started in a College Football Playoff game - names like Jeremiah Smith, Will Kacmarek, and Caleb Downs.
Smith, in particular, has been a force in the Playoff spotlight, racking up 19 catches for 381 yards and five touchdowns across four games in 2024. Sonny Styles has been a tackling machine with 26 stops in those contests.
These aren’t just players - they’re proven Playoff performers.
6: History Between the Programs
This marks the sixth meeting between Ohio State and Miami, though the 2010 Buckeyes win was later vacated. The most memorable clash, of course, came in the 2002 National Championship - a double-overtime thriller that still sparks debate and nostalgia among college football fans.
Ohio State also beat Miami back in 1977, while the Hurricanes took the most recent matchup in 2011 with a 24-6 win. There’s no shortage of history between these two - and Wednesday night adds another chapter.
8: Miami’s Offensive Line, Built Like a Wall
One of the most impressive - and perhaps underrated - storylines coming into this game is Miami’s offensive line. The Hurricanes are one of only eight teams in the country to start the same five linemen in every game this season.
That kind of continuity is rare, and it shows in the numbers: just 13 sacks allowed in 13 games, and only 58 negative plays all year. That’s elite protection and execution.
From left to right - Markell Bell, Matt McCoy, James Brockermeyer, Anez Cooper, and Francis Mauigoa - this unit has been the backbone of Miami’s offense. They’ll face a serious test against Ohio State’s front, but they’ve been up to the challenge all season.
A Revamped Defense
Miami’s defense has been one of the most improved units in the country. After struggling in 2024, the Hurricanes have turned things around in a big way - one of only 12 teams to cut their points allowed per game by more than 10.
That kind of transformation doesn’t happen by accident. It speaks to coaching adjustments, player development, and a renewed identity on that side of the ball.
Wednesday night’s Cotton Bowl isn’t just a Quarterfinal - it’s a heavyweight battle between two proud programs with Playoff experience, elite coaching, and NFL talent all over the field. Ohio State has the pedigree and postseason poise, while Miami brings a physical edge and a chip on its shoulder.
It’s history, tradition, and future NFL stars all rolled into one - and it’s exactly what the College Football Playoff was made for.