The Miami Hurricanes pulled off a stunning upset against the Ohio State Buckeyes on New Year”s Eve, marking a significant moment in College Football Playoff history. The Hurricanes entered the Cotton Bowl as 9.5-point underdogs but emerged victorious with a 24-14 win, achieving the largest point-spread upset in the CFP”s twelve-year history.
This remarkable victory came after Miami”s first-round triumph over Texas A&M, where they secured a narrow 10-3 win. With this win against Ohio State, the Hurricanes have now improved to 2-0 in the playoffs, showcasing their resilience and skill on the field.
As Miami prepares for their next challenge, they will face the winner of the Sugar Bowl, which features Georgia and Ole Miss. This unexpected success has led many to speculate whether oddsmakers will reconsider Miami”s underdog status in future playoff matchups.
According to SportsOddsHistory.com, Miami”s upset tops the list of significant upsets in the CFP by point spread. The following are some other notable upsets in the history of the playoff:
- TCU (+7.5) defeated Michigan 51-45 in the 2022 semifinals, with quarterback Max Duggan”s impressive performance leading the Horned Frogs.
- Ohio State (+7.5) overcame Alabama 42-35 in the 2014 semifinals, highlighted by Ezekiel Elliott”s record-setting rushing yards.
- Ohio State (+7) triumphed over Clemson 49-28 in the 2020 semifinals, with Justin Fields throwing six touchdown passes.
- Clemson (+6.5) edged Alabama 35-31 in the 2016 championship game, thanks to a last-second touchdown by Deshaun Watson.
- Ohio State (+5.5) bested Oregon 42-20 in the inaugural CFP championship, led by Elliott”s four touchdown runs.
The Hurricanes” victory on Wednesday not only alters the dynamics of this year”s College Football Playoff but also solidifies their place among the great underdog stories in college football history.
