The Ohio State Buckeyes are set to face the Miami Hurricanes in the Cotton Bowl on New Year”s Eve, where they are favored by 9.5 points. This matchup comes after Miami secured their place in the quarterfinals with a victory over Texas A&M on December 20. Meanwhile, Ohio State has not played since their loss to Indiana in the Big Ten Championship on December 6.
The Buckeyes are the biggest favorite among the four quarterfinal games, with the Over/Under for this contest set at 40.5—significantly the lowest of this round. Miami”s recent success against Texas A&M was largely attributed to their defense, which managed to limit the Aggies to just three points despite the Hurricanes” offense struggling to generate momentum.
Quarterback Carson Beck had a challenging outing, and Miami will need a substantial improvement from their offense to compete with Ohio State”s top-ranked defense. The Buckeyes finished the season leading the nation in yards allowed per play and were recognized as the best defensive unit according to SP+ metrics.
While Miami”s defense demonstrated their ability to withstand pressure against Texas A&M, Ohio State presents a different challenge. The Buckeyes” offense is adept at maintaining control, having only allowed 11 sacks and committing nine turnovers throughout the season. This creates a stylistic mismatch that could complicate Miami”s game plan.
Despite their recent victory, the outlook for the Hurricanes appears daunting as they prepare to face a formidable Ohio State squad. With the pressure mounting, Coach Mario Cristobal downplayed any notions of his team being underdogs in this high-stakes playoff scenario.
As the Cotton Bowl approaches, both teams are aiming for a chance to advance further in the College Football Playoff, with Ohio State defending their championship status and Miami looking to make a significant impact in their CFP debut.
Experts anticipate that if Miami can protect the ball and elevate their offensive performance, they might have a fighting chance against the Buckeyes. However, overcoming the challenges posed by Ohio State”s elite defense will be crucial for their success in this pivotal matchup.
