Ohio State Preps for Cotton Bowl Clash with Miami as Ryan Day Reclaims Play-Calling Duties
The stakes don’t get much higher than this. With a College Football Playoff semifinal berth on the line, Ohio State is gearing up for a heavyweight showdown against Miami in the Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 31, and the Buckeyes are entering this one with fresh legs and a clear sense of purpose.
As the No. 2 seed, Ohio State earned a first-round bye and now faces a Miami squad that just punched its ticket to the quarterfinals with a gritty 10-3 win over No. 7-seed Texas A&M. It wasn’t flashy, but it was effective - the kind of win that shows Miami isn’t just happy to be here. They’re here to make noise.
Ryan Day Steps Back Into the Play-Caller’s Role
One of the biggest storylines heading into this matchup? Ryan Day is back in the offensive driver’s seat.
The Ohio State head coach announced last week that he’ll be calling plays for the Buckeyes during the playoff run - a return to a role he held for the first five years of his tenure in Columbus. After handing the reins to Chip Kelly in 2024 and then to Brian Hartline this season, Day is stepping back in at a pivotal moment.
Hartline, who took over play-calling duties during the regular season, accepted the head coaching job at South Florida earlier this month but remains with the team through the playoff. He’s still coaching the wide receivers, and his presence in the room is part of what Day describes as a collaborative effort in game planning.
That group includes co-offensive coordinator and tight ends coach Keenan Bailey, running backs coach Carlos Locklyn, quarterbacks coach Billy Fessler, and offensive line coach Tyler Bowen. It’s a deep offensive brain trust, and while Day has the headset now, the Buckeyes’ scheme will still reflect a team-wide vision.
Media Day, Press Conferences Set the Stage
Before the action kicks off, Ohio State will participate in media day on Monday morning, where Day, his staff, and the players will address the matchup and their mindset heading into the postseason. It’s a chance to hear directly from the team about how they’re preparing for a Miami defense that just held Texas A&M to a field goal.
On Tuesday, Day and Miami head coach Mario Cristobal will share the stage for a joint press conference - a final look at two programs with very different roads to this point, but the same goal in mind.
The Road to the Title Runs Through Arlington
The Cotton Bowl is one of four CFP quarterfinal matchups, with the winners advancing to the semifinals on Jan. 8 and 9. For Ohio State and Miami, the path leads to Glendale, Arizona, for the Fiesta Bowl semifinal.
Here’s how the full College Football Playoff schedule shapes up:
**Quarterfinals (Dec. 31-Jan.
1):**
- Miami vs Ohio State | Cotton Bowl: 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Dec. 31 | ESPN
- Oregon vs Texas Tech | Orange Bowl: 12 p.m. Thursday, Jan.
1 | ESPN
- Alabama vs Indiana | Rose Bowl: 4 p.m.
Thursday, Jan. 1 | ESPN
- Ole Miss vs Georgia | Sugar Bowl: 8 p.m. Thursday, Jan.
1 | ESPN
Semifinals (Jan. 8-9):
- Fiesta Bowl: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan.
8 | ESPN
- Peach Bowl: 7:30 p.m.
Friday, Jan. 9 | ESPN
CFP National Championship:
- 7:30 p.m.
Monday, Jan. 19 | ESPN
- Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida
As the Buckeyes prepare to take the field, the storyline isn’t just about talent - it’s about timing, leadership, and execution. Ryan Day is back in the play-calling role, the offense is loaded with weapons, and the path to a national title is right in front of them. But first, they’ll have to get past a Miami team that’s already proven it can win ugly - and that it’s not afraid of the moment.