The Miami Hurricanes are staring down one of their toughest matchups of the season: a showdown with No. 2 Ohio State. Only top-ranked Indiana has managed to hand the Buckeyes a loss this year, and if Miami wants to join that exclusive club, they’ll have to slow down a team that’s stacked with elite talent on both sides of the ball.
Let’s break down the key Buckeyes who could shape the outcome of Wednesday night’s clash.
Julian Sayin, Quarterback
Julian Sayin has lived up to every bit of his five-star billing-and then some. In his debut season, the Ohio State quarterback put together a stat line that reads like a veteran’s highlight reel: 3,323 passing yards, 31 touchdowns, just six interceptions, and a nation-leading 92.6 passing grade from Pro Football Focus. He completed a staggering 78.4% of his passes and was so effective that he earned a trip to New York as a Heisman finalist.
Sayin isn’t just efficient-he’s surgical. When kept clean in the pocket, he completed 83.1% of his throws.
And even under pressure, he still completed 61.5% of his passes, the third-best mark in the country. That’s not just poise-it’s precision under fire.
With a deep arsenal of talented receivers and a calm command of the offense, Sayin is the kind of quarterback who can pick apart a defense if given even a sliver of time.
Bo Jackson, Running Back
No, not that Bo Jackson-but don’t let the name fool you. This Bo, whose real name is Lamar Jackson, is carving out a legacy of his own in Columbus. The freshman back has already topped the 1,000-yard mark, joining an exclusive group of Ohio State true freshmen to do so.
At 6’0”, 215 pounds, Jackson brings a physicality to the run game that’s hard to contain. He averaged more than four yards after contact, ranking 15th nationally, and earned an 85.7 rushing grade-fifth among all true freshmen.
He’s a north-south runner with power and balance, and he doesn’t go down easily. If Miami can’t wrap him up early, he’ll make them pay with chunk plays that wear down a defense.
Jeremiah Smith & Carnell Tate, Wide Receivers
This is where things get scary for opposing secondaries.
Jeremiah Smith isn’t just a top receiver-he’s arguably the best player in the country. A former No. 1 recruit out of Chaminade-Madonna in South Florida, Smith has more than delivered on the hype.
With 1,086 yards, 11 touchdowns, and an 89.8 receiving grade, he finished second in the Biletnikoff Award voting. He’s smooth, explosive, and reliable-just two drops all season.
Lining up opposite him is Carnell Tate, another five-star talent from IMG Academy. Despite missing nearly a month due to injury, Tate still racked up 838 yards and nine touchdowns. And here’s the kicker: he hasn’t dropped a single pass all year.
Both receivers are 6’3” and can beat you at every level of the field. Whether it’s a quick slant, a deep post, or a contested sideline grab, Smith and Tate form the most complete and dangerous receiving duo in the country. Miami’s secondary will have its hands full trying to contain them.
Kayden McDonald, Defensive Tackle
If Miami wants to establish the run, they’ll have to go through a brick wall named Kayden McDonald.
At 6’3”, 326 pounds, McDonald is an immovable force in the middle of Ohio State’s defensive line. He’s the kind of defensive tackle who demands double teams and still finds a way to impact the play. With 57 tackles, eight tackles for loss, and three sacks, he’s been a disruptive presence all year.
But it’s his run defense that truly sets him apart. McDonald earned a 92.2 run-defense grade-best in the nation among defensive tackles-and an overall defensive grade of 89.
That’s elite territory. Miami had success running through the A-gaps against Texas A&M, but with McDonald clogging the middle, that strategy may not be as fruitful this time around.
Caleb Downs, Safety
Caleb Downs is the kind of safety who seems to be everywhere at once.
A two-time unanimous All-American, Downs has 60 tackles and two interceptions this season, but his impact goes well beyond the stat sheet. He’s a field general in the secondary-instinctive, physical, and always in the right place at the right time. Pro Football Focus gave him an 83.8 defensive grade, placing him 19th nationally among safeties.
Whether he’s flying downhill to stop the run or ranging deep to take away the big play, Downs is a true difference-maker. He’s the last line of defense-and a dangerous one at that.
What It All Means for Miami
To pull off the upset, the Hurricanes will need to play their most complete game of the season. That means pressure on Sayin, gang-tackling Bo Jackson, and airtight coverage against two of the best wideouts in the country. On the other side of the ball, they’ll have to find creative ways to move the chains against a defense anchored by McDonald and patrolled by Downs.
It’s a tall order-but that’s what it takes to beat a team like Ohio State.