The Ohio State Buckeyes head into the College Football Playoff with a chip on their shoulder-and that might be the most dangerous version of this team yet.
Despite a strong regular season, Ohio State’s lone blemish came at the worst possible time: a loss to Indiana in the Big Ten Championship Game. It didn’t cost them a playoff berth, but it did sting. And if you listen to how head coach Ryan Day is talking, that loss has lit a fire under this roster.
Ohio State still secured the No. 2 seed and a first-round bye, setting up a Cotton Bowl showdown with the Miami Hurricanes. Miami punched its ticket by grinding out a 10-3 win over Texas A&M in College Station-a gritty, defensive battle that showcased the Hurricanes’ toughness. But they’ll need more than toughness to hang with an Ohio State team that’s coming in angry and laser-focused.
Ryan Day didn’t mince words when he met with the media this week. “Everyone is pissed off,” he said.
“Everybody wants to get it right and wants to win. Nobody likes to lose.
Nobody. It’s a game that we felt like we shouldn’t have lost.”
That kind of emotion can go one of two ways in college football. It can lead to pressing, overreactions, and mistakes.
Or it can sharpen a team’s focus and elevate their level of play. Given how Day has managed this program and how the Buckeyes have responded in the past, the latter seems far more likely.
We’ve seen what happens when Ohio State enters the postseason with something to prove. Just ask Tennessee.
A year ago, the Buckeyes came into the CFP with similar energy and dismantled the Vols from the opening whistle. That wasn’t just a win-it was a statement.
This Miami team has earned its spot, no doubt. But the Hurricanes don’t bring the same firepower that Tennessee had last year. They’ll need to play a near-perfect game to keep pace with Ohio State, especially if the Buckeyes execute the way they’re capable of.
The Buckeyes still have one of the most complete rosters in the country. They’ve got the athletes, the depth, and now, the motivation.
That’s a dangerous mix. And if they’ve cleaned up the mistakes that cost them in the Big Ten title game, they’re going to be a handful for anyone left in the bracket.
Miami’s defense showed it can grind out wins, but Ohio State’s offense presents a different kind of test-one that demands both discipline and explosiveness to survive. The Hurricanes will have to find ways to disrupt rhythm, force turnovers, and capitalize on every scoring opportunity. Because if the Buckeyes start fast and find their groove, this one could get out of hand in a hurry.
The message from Columbus is clear: this team is angry, focused, and ready to prove a point. And for Miami, that means the Cotton Bowl just became one of the toughest matchups of the postseason.