The Cotton Bowl is set to feature a matchup between No. 3 Ohio State and Miami (FL) on December 31 at 7:30 PM EST. Ohio State enters the game with a record of 12-1, while Miami (FL) boasts an 11-2 record. According to BetMGM, Ohio State is favored by 10 points in this contest.
In terms of performance against the spread, Ohio State has a record of 9-3, with Miami (FL) at 8-5. Both teams have shown impressive capabilities throughout the season, with Ohio State”s offense averaging 429.5 yards per game and Miami (FL) averaging 413.4 yards per game.
Looking at the specifics, Ohio State ranks 25th in passing yards with 266.8 yards per game and 63rd in rushing with 162.8 yards per game. They score an average of 34.9 points per game, placing them 17th overall. Defensively, Ohio State is exceptional, allowing just 213.5 yards per game, which leads the FBS. They stand first in both passing defense (129.1 yards per game) and scoring defense, giving up only 8.2 points per game.
On the other hand, Miami (FL)”s offense ranks 37th overall, with 262.5 passing yards and 150.8 rushing yards per game, contributing to an average of 32.2 points per game, which ranks 29th. Defensively, Miami (FL) allows 281.5 yards per game, placing them 11th in the FBS, and they rank 6th in scoring defense, allowing just 13 points per game.
Both teams excel in third down defense as well. Ohio State is 6th in the FBS, allowing a conversion rate of 28.8%, while Miami (FL) is 12th with a 30.9% conversion rate. Additionally, Miami (FL) has a turnover margin of +11, ranking them 8th in the FBS. However, they average 60.2 penalty yards per game, which is 99th in the FBS, while Ohio State is 18th with an average of 40.3 yards.
In the red zone, Miami (FL) performs well, scoring on 90.9% of their attempts, ranking them 20th in the FBS. Time of possession is another area where both teams shine; Ohio State is 5th with an average of 33:38, while Miami (FL) ranks 7th at 33:09.
Individual team leaders include Julian Sayin for Ohio State, who has thrown for 3,323 yards, 31 touchdowns, and 6 interceptions with a completion percentage of 78.4%. In the rushing department, Bo Jackson has accumulated 1,035 yards on 168 carries with 5 touchdowns, while Jeremiah Smith leads in receiving with 1,086 yards on 80 catches and 11 touchdowns.
For Miami (FL), Carson Beck has passed for 3,175 yards, 26 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions, maintaining a 74.3% completion percentage. The rushing attack is spearheaded by Mark Fletcher, who has 857 yards on 158 carries and 10 touchdowns. In the receiving department, Malachi Toney has tallied 992 yards on 89 receptions and 8 touchdowns.
In their most recent outings, Ohio State suffered a narrow defeat against Indiana, ending in a 13-10 loss, while Miami (FL) secured a victory over Texas A&M with a score of 10-3.
