The Miami Hurricanes are marching on-and doing it with authority.
After surviving a gritty road win over Texas A&M to open their College Football Playoff run, Miami followed it up with a statement victory in Arlington, taking down Ohio State 24-14 in the Cotton Bowl. It wasn’t just a win-it was a performance that showed this Hurricanes squad is more than just a postseason participant. They’re a legitimate threat.
Let’s break down how Miami got it done.
A Tale of Two Quarters
The first quarter was a defensive slugfest, with both teams trading punts and feeling each other out. But in the second, Miami flipped the switch.
Carson Beck orchestrated a methodical 13-play, 83-yard drive that chewed up more than eight minutes of game clock. It was the kind of possession that wears down a defense and sets the tone for the rest of the game. Beck was poised, efficient, and in full command-exactly what you want from your quarterback in a playoff setting.
Then came the backbreaker. Ohio State’s Julian Sayin tried to jumpstart the Buckeyes’ offense, but instead, he handed Miami six more points.
Keionte Scott read the play perfectly, jumped the route, and took the interception to the house. Just like that, it was 14-0, and Miami had all the momentum.
Buckeyes Battle Back… Briefly
To their credit, Ohio State didn’t fold. Bo Jackson punched in a 1-yard touchdown in the third quarter to get the Buckeyes on the board, and Sayin later connected on a 14-yard scoring strike to pull them within three. At 17-14, it was a ballgame again.
But Miami didn’t blink.
With the pressure mounting and the Buckeyes threatening, the Hurricanes responded with the kind of drive that championship teams build their reputations on. They marched down the field and capped it off with a touchdown in the final minute, pushing the lead back to double digits and sealing the win.
A Complete Team Effort
What stood out most about Miami’s performance was how complete it was. Offensively, they controlled the tempo when they needed to.
Defensively, they made life miserable for Sayin and the Buckeyes, forcing key turnovers and getting stops at critical moments. Special teams chipped in with a clutch field goal to keep the pressure on.
And then there’s the coaching. Mario Cristobal had his team locked in from the opening kickoff.
The Hurricanes looked sharper, more prepared, and more physical than Ohio State across the board. That’s not easy to do against a program with the Buckeyes’ pedigree.
Next Stop: The Fiesta Bowl
With the win, Miami punches its ticket to the Fiesta Bowl, where they’ll face the winner of the Sugar Bowl between Ole Miss and Georgia. Either opponent will present a serious challenge, but if Miami continues playing like this-disciplined, opportunistic, and tough-they’ll be a tough out for anyone.
This is a Hurricanes team that’s peaking at the right time. They’ve knocked off two powerhouse programs in back-to-back weeks, and they’ve done it with a mix of grit, execution, and big-play ability.
The College Football Playoff is down to its final four, and Miami is right in the thick of it.
Buckle up. The Hurricanes are rolling.