With the Cotton Bowl just around the corner, the Ohio State Buckeyes are gearing up for a high-stakes matchup against the Miami Hurricanes - and make no mistake, there’s some serious edge to this one.
Ohio State enters this game with more than just a game plan - they’re bringing a chip on their shoulder. After falling to Indiana in the Big Ten Championship, the Buckeyes have had time to sit with that loss.
And according to head coach Ryan Day, they’re not just moving on - they’re mad. That kind of fire, especially with a full prep window, could spell trouble for Miami.
This time around, Ohio State benefits from a first-round bye in the expanded College Football Playoff - a luxury they didn’t have last season. That extra time has allowed the Buckeyes to regroup, reset, and refocus. And they’ll need every bit of it against a Miami team that’s confident, vocal, and not afraid to stir the pot.
Miami fans have been active on social media, throwing out bold takes about their defense - claiming it’ll be the toughest Ohio State has faced all year. That’s a big statement, especially considering the Buckeyes just went toe-to-toe with a stout Indiana unit in the Big Ten title game. But the chatter hasn’t gone unnoticed.
Enter Johnnie Dixon.
The former Ohio State wide receiver isn’t sitting quietly while fans from the other sideline talk up their squad. Dixon took to social media to call out the Hurricanes’ fanbase - not just for their confidence, but for their spotty home attendance.
“I’m seeing a lot of Miami fans on twitter why they never at the home games ????” Johnnie L. Dixon III (@YoungKing_JD5), December 23, 2025
That tweet lit a firestorm, with Miami fans flooding the replies. But Dixon’s point hits on a long-standing issue - Hard Rock Stadium, Miami’s home field, isn’t on campus and has long struggled to draw consistent college crowds. It’s a logistical hurdle that’s become part of the narrative around the program.
Still, it’s all part of the buildup. This is playoff football, and the stakes are high.
The Buckeyes are bringing an edge, and former players like Dixon are fanning the flames. Meanwhile, current star receiver Jeremiah Smith will be suiting up against his hometown team - a storyline that adds even more intrigue to an already loaded matchup.
Defensively, Ohio State will have its sights set on disrupting Miami quarterback Carson Beck. The Buckeyes have had weeks to craft a game plan, and they’ll look to impose their will early and often.
And while the focus is firmly on this year’s showdown, there’s an undeniable shadow cast by history. Miami fans still carry the sting of the 2003 Fiesta Bowl - a game that ended in heartbreak for the Hurricanes and glory for the Buckeyes. Ohio State wouldn’t mind delivering a similar outcome this time around.
So, as the Cotton Bowl approaches, the table is set: a fired-up Buckeyes squad, a confident Hurricanes team, and a little extra spice from fans and alumni alike. Buckle up - this one’s got all the makings of a classic.