Miami Shocks Ohio State in Cotton Bowl, Continues CFP Quarterfinal Curse for Bye Teams
Another College Football Playoff quarterfinal, another early exit for a team coming off a first-round bye. This time, it was No.
2 Ohio State that fell victim to the trend, dropping a stunning 24-14 decision to Miami in the Cotton Bowl. That makes it five straight losses for teams entering the CFP at the quarterfinal stage without having played in the first round-a stat that’s starting to feel less like a coincidence and more like a pattern.
Miami didn’t just win-they looked like the more prepared, more energized team from the jump. The Hurricanes came out swinging, jumping to a 14-0 halftime lead thanks in part to a momentum-flipping 72-yard interception return by Keionte Scott. It was the kind of play that doesn’t just put points on the board-it sets a tone.
Ohio State, meanwhile, never found their rhythm. Julian Sayin, the most accurate quarterback in college football all season, looked out of sync all night.
He threw two picks and was sacked five times as Miami’s defense consistently disrupted the Buckeyes’ timing and confidence. Sayin’s struggles weren’t just about poor decisions-they were a product of constant pressure and a Miami defense that came in with a chip on its shoulder and something to prove.
Mario Cristobal’s squad now moves on to the Fiesta Bowl, where they’ll face the winner of Thursday night’s Sugar Bowl matchup between Ole Miss and Georgia. For a team that needed an at-large bid to even make the playoff-after losses to SMU and Louisville during the regular season-this run is a reminder that it’s not always about how you start, it’s about how you finish.
As for Ohio State, the loss caps a frustrating end to what began as a perfect season. The Buckeyes went 12-0 in the regular season, but a 13-10 loss to Indiana in the Big Ten Championship Game followed by this Cotton Bowl defeat leaves them 0-2 in the postseason. For a team loaded with talent and expectations, it’s a tough pill to swallow-and a reminder that star power doesn’t always translate to playoff wins.
Orange Bowl Preview: Oregon vs. Texas Tech - Firepower Meets Ferocity
Next up in the CFP: a high-stakes Orange Bowl clash between Oregon and Texas Tech. Set for a 9 a.m.
PT kickoff on ESPN, this one promises to be a fascinating contrast in styles. Oregon, a 2.5-point favorite, brings a high-octane offense that lit up James Madison for 51 points in the first round.
But to keep dancing, they’ll need to solve a Texas Tech defense that’s been one of the most disruptive units in the country.
The Red Raiders have been a wrecking crew all season, racking up 39 sacks and forcing 31 turnovers. Their defense is anchored by Unanimous All-American linebacker Jake Rodriguez, the kind of player who can wreck a game plan all by himself.
And he’s not alone-David Bailey, Romello Height, and Ben Roberts form a front seven that’s held opponents to just 2.3 yards per carry and 10.9 points per game. That’s not just good-it’s elite.
Texas Tech enters the matchup at 12-1, their only blemish coming in an October loss to Arizona State when quarterback Behren Morton was sidelined. Outside of that, they’ve steamrolled opponents, winning every other game by at least 20 points. It’s been a season defined by physical dominance and explosive plays on both sides of the ball.
Oregon head coach Dan Lanning knows what his team is up against.
“Our players have prepped really hard and there’s a ton of respect for Texas Tech and what they’ve been able to create this year,” Lanning said at Wednesday’s pregame press conference. “The way they play, I think that’s a true indication of the way Coach McGuire coaches. Our guys are really excited about this opportunity to share a field and it’s an awesome venue to get to be a part of."
The Ducks’ offensive line will be under the spotlight in this one. Can they hold off Rodriguez and company long enough for quarterback Dante Moore to find his rhythm?
Moore has shown flashes of brilliance, but he’s also made some costly mistakes when pressured. Against a defense that thrives on creating chaos, he’ll need to be sharp-especially when it comes to avoiding those risky throws into tight coverage.
Around the Bowl Circuit: Mixed Bag for the Big Ten, Big 12 Surging
New Year’s Eve was a rough one for the Big Ten. After starting bowl season 6-0, the conference took a trio of high-profile hits.
Ohio State’s loss to Miami was just the start. Michigan fell 41-27 to Texas, and USC let a win slip away in the Alamo Bowl, falling 30-27 to TCU on the final play of overtime-a 35-yard touchdown strike on third-and-20 that will haunt Trojan fans for a while.
Elsewhere, Utah doubled up Nebraska 44-22, Iowa edged Vanderbilt 34-27, and Illinois held on for a 30-28 win over Tennessee. But the Big 12 had the better day overall. In addition to TCU’s thriller, Houston knocked off LSU 38-35, and BYU slipped past Georgia Tech 25-21.
Bowl season can be a tricky measuring stick for conference strength, but there’s no denying the Big 12 has come out swinging. And with Texas Tech still in the hunt, they’ve got a shot to make an even bigger statement.
Final Thought
As the playoff field narrows, one thing is clear: momentum matters. Miami proved that a hot team with something to prove can topple even the most decorated programs. And Oregon-Texas Tech looks like the kind of heavyweight bout that could come down to one or two game-changing plays.
Strap in. The road to the title is only getting wilder.