As the Cotton Bowl looms, Ohio State and Miami are set to clash in a College Football Playoff quarterfinal that brings two storied programs-and two focused head coaches-face to face in Arlington. On Tuesday, Ryan Day and Mario Cristobal met with the media one final time before kickoff, offering insight into their teams' preparation, personnel decisions, and the mindset heading into one of the biggest games of the season.
Ryan Day: Locked In and Taking the Reins
For Ryan Day, this isn’t just another postseason appearance-it’s Ohio State’s third straight trip to the Cotton Bowl, and the head coach made it clear that the Buckeyes are treating this like the culmination of a season-long mission.
“They made it pretty clear 10 months ago they wanted to make history,” Day said. “So it's all been a build to this point right here.”
That build has included a shift in offensive leadership. With Brian Hartline set to become the next head coach at USF, Day is stepping back into the play-calling role for the College Football Playoff.
Hartline will still be on the field coaching alongside Day, while co-offensive coordinator Keenan Bailey moves upstairs to the booth. Day emphasized that he’ll have the final say on play calls, but the offensive brain trust will remain collaborative.
Bailey, Day noted, is one of the unsung engines of the Buckeyes' operation. “He’s the first guy in the building, the last guy to leave,” Day said, praising Bailey’s behind-the-scenes impact on game planning.
Personnel-wise, Ohio State is rolling with some familiar-and some new-faces. Jayden Fielding will remain the starting kicker, despite competition in practice.
At right guard, Gabe VanSickle is expected to start in place of Tegra Tshabola. Day compared VanSickle’s opportunity to Luke Montgomery’s emergence in last year’s playoff run, underscoring the staff’s confidence in the next-man-up mentality.
Day also pointed out a couple of players who may not be household names but are vital to the Buckeyes’ success. Tight end Will Kacmarek was called an “unsung hero” for doing the “dirty work” in the trenches, while cornerback Davison Igbinosun earned a shoutout for his under-the-radar contributions on defense.
As for quarterback Julian Sayin, who recently won the Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award, Day sees sky-high potential. “He’s got a huge ceiling,” Day said. “He’s done a good job making sure we’re in the right plays and executing.”
But Day isn’t underestimating the challenge ahead. He called Miami’s defense “a tremendous challenge” and stressed the importance of playing a full 60-minute game. “We want to start fast,” he said, “but we need to play for 60 minutes.”
Mario Cristobal: Building Momentum and Respecting the Moment
On the other side, Mario Cristobal is bringing a Miami team that’s shown steady progress throughout the season. The Hurricanes have grown into a more complete squad, and Cristobal believes his players are ready for the moment.
He had high praise for Ohio State’s young quarterback as well. “He does not look like a young guy playing the position,” Cristobal said of Sayin. “He looks like a guy that’s been there for a long time that has complete control of the offense.”
Cristobal also acknowledged the Buckeyes’ recruiting power-especially when asked about Jeremiah Smith, a player Miami had pursued hard before he chose Ohio State. Cristobal tipped his cap to Smith’s development and wished him well.
As for the inevitable question about Ohio State’s win over Miami in the 2003 national championship? Cristobal kept the focus squarely on the present. “Our focus is on the 2025 matchup,” he said.
Cristobal spotlighted several Hurricanes who’ve flown under the radar this season, naming Keionte Scott, Anez Cooper, and Mark Fletcher as players who deserve more recognition for their consistency and impact.
And when asked about Ryan Day, Cristobal didn’t hold back in his respect. “He’s certainly set a really high standard for college football in his program,” Cristobal said.
The Stage Is Set
Both coaches made it clear: this game is about execution, trust in preparation, and rising to the moment. Day summed it up best when he said, “The only way your story gets told is if you win.”
For Ohio State, that story has been building all year. For Miami, it’s a chance to show how far they’ve come.
The Cotton Bowl is more than just a playoff game-it’s a proving ground. And come kickoff, we’ll see which team is ready to write the next chapter.