Ohio State vs. Miami: Cotton Bowl Playoff Schedule and Key Insights

As the college football season winds down, fans are buzzing about the upcoming Cotton Bowl between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Miami Hurricanes. This matchup is set for December 31 at 7:30 p.m. ET, and honestly, it looks like it’s going to be electric.

Both teams have a shot at the Fiesta Bowl and a deeper run in the College Football Playoff. Ohio State wants to repeat their national championship run, while Miami’s hoping to ride the momentum from their win over Texas A&M. There’s a lot at stake, and it’s hard not to get caught up in the hype. Let’s look at what might tip the scales.

Ohio State’s Path to the Cotton Bowl

Ohio State rolled through the regular season undefeated, only tripping up in a close loss to Indiana during the Big Ten championship. Even with that stumble, they locked in the No. 2 seed in the College Football Playoff.

This year, their defense has been lights out, and the offense? Averaging over 35 points per game, not too shabby. If they can keep up that level of play, they’ve got a solid shot at the Fiesta Bowl and maybe, just maybe, a repeat national title.

Key Players to Watch

There are a few Buckeyes you’ll want to keep an eye on. Wide receiver Carnell Tate is back from injury and hasn’t missed a beat—nine catches and two touchdowns since returning.

Quarterback Julian Sayin has the job of spreading the ball around, especially to Tate and Jeremiah Smith. If he gets in a rhythm, the Buckeyes’ offense could be tough to stop.

Miami’s Road to the Playoffs

The Hurricanes punched their ticket to the Cotton Bowl by grinding out a 10-3 win over Texas A&M. Their defense has really been the story, ranking top 10 nationally in rushing defense and giving up just 86.8 rushing yards per game.

They’ll need every bit of that defensive grit to slow down Ohio State’s attack. If Miami’s defense holds up, the game could get interesting fast.

Defensive Strengths

Miami’s defense showed up big against Texas A&M, forcing two fumbles and racking up seven sacks. That kind of pressure, especially up front, could make life tough for the Buckeyes’ offense.

Watch for defensive end Gregory Rousseau—he’s got the talent to swing a big game like this.

Special Teams Could Be the Decider

Let’s be real, kicking has been a bit shaky for both teams lately. Ohio State’s Jayden Fielding missed a game-tying field goal in the Big Ten championship, and Miami’s Carter Davis went just 1 for 4 in his last game.

If things get tight, a missed kick could haunt either side. There’s pressure, and then there’s bowl game pressure—kickers will feel every bit of it.

Fielding and Davis Under the Spotlight

Fielding has knocked through 16 field goals this year, hitting 84.2% of his tries. Davis has made 14, with an 87.5% success rate.

Still, both have had their wobbles lately. If the game hinges on a late kick, everyone’s going to be holding their breath.

Ohio State’s Defensive Prowess

The Buckeyes’ defense has been downright stingy, giving up just 10 touchdowns all year and only 84.5 rushing yards per game. Shutting down Miami’s offense and stealing back momentum could be the difference-maker.

They’ve set the bar high. If they keep it there, Ohio State’s chances look pretty good.

Conclusion

The Cotton Bowl clash between Ohio State and Miami? It’s looking like one of those games you just can’t miss. Both teams have tough defenses and a couple of headline-making players ready to shake things up.

Ohio State wants to shake off their Big Ten championship loss. They’re still chasing that dream of back-to-back national titles.

Miami’s feeling pretty good too. They’re hoping to ride their momentum and push deeper into the playoffs.

If you’re into big moments and wild finishes, this could be the one. The game’s set for December 31 at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN. Maybe grab some snacks and settle in.

Curious for more details about this Cotton Bowl matchup? Check out the original article.