Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Miami Hurricanes Score Predictions: Who is taking the Cotton Bowl?
The Buckeyes and Hurricanes will be squaring off in the Cotton Bowl on New Year’s Eve.
The Ohio State Buckeyes and Miami Hurricanes playing in a pivotal college football game, it’s almost like that’s been a thing before.
When Ohio State and Miami matchup in the Cotton Bowl on Wednesday, it’ll be two elite rosters in the College Football Playoff looking to move on to be one of the final four teams remaining. Miami got a 10-3 win over Texas A&M to advance to the quarterfinal where they take on the Buckeyes in Arlington, Texas. Let’s get into the game predictions.
Ohio State 30, Miami 23
The Buckeyes had a poor offensive showing against Indiana and they can’t allow that to happen again or the season is over. Still, Ohio State didn’t play well at all in that game and lost just 13-10. Ryan Day has taken over the play calling for the offense for the rest of this season and the offense will be the key throughout the CFP. Ohio State’s defense should be what it normally is and that is elite. The Buckeyes struggled with Indiana’s defensive front and Miami brings an even better group to deal with.
How Ohio State deals with the Miami front is going to be the biggest task in this game. The Buckeyes will be looking to get the ball to their outside playmakers Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate, that’s their best path to success. Ohio State won’t struggle this game much if they get their top wideouts going because that means they’re beating the pass rush. I see the Buckeyes moving on by about a touchdown. — Brandon Little
Ohio State 23, Miami 16
The Hurricanes were able to lean on the Aggies on both sides of the lines of scrimmage, with Mark Fletcher, Jr. rolling for 172 yards on the ground. Miami won’t be able to do that against an Ohio State defense that’s loaded with talent and physical throughout. The Buckeyes will surely put extra attention on Malachi Toney, so it’ll take some big plays from Carson Beck, CJ Daniels, and others to move the ball on Ohio State. As has been the case for much of the season, that won’t happen quite enough.
The Buckeyes will have their struggles with Miami’s talented pass rush, and the Canes will keep Bo Jackson and the OSU ground game relatively in check. However, Ohio State will do what Texas A&M didn’t do enough – test Miami deep. And they’ll have more success with Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate. The Buckeyes will come up with some big plays in the second half to get a double-digit lead. Miami will draw close late, but it won’t be quite enough. — Craig Smith
Ohio State 30, Miami 21
This is the most intriguing game of the quarterfinal, in my opinion. There are two things that any team needs to compete in the College Football Playoff. Good play along the trenches, and an experienced or elite quarterback. Carson Beck may not be elite, but he’s played a ton of football, and Miami has an offensive and defensive line that is requisite for a national champion contender. That should give Hurricane fans hope. The problem is, where Miami struggles, the Buckeyes thrive.
Carnell Tate and Jeremiah Smith are two perimeter threats that should give Miami’s secondary fits all afternoon. If Rueben Bain Jr. and Akheem Mesidor can’t pressure Sayin and get him rattled early, it might be pitch and catch for the Buckeyes. Give me Ohio State in a game that may be closer than some expect. — Rob Gregson
Ohio State 31, Miami 17
I think this is a game where Ohio State needs to simply create havoc. On both sides of the ball, they have the talent to take advantage of Miami’s weaknesses. Carson Beck has struggled immensely when pressured, so the Buckeyes should mix up their blitz looks and bring the pressure early and often. With some questioning Arvell Reese’s impact in recent games, I believe this is a game where he shushes those doubts heavily. As for the OSU offense against the Miami defense, the Hurricanes found a ton of success against Texas A&M by slowing the run game then getting to the QB on third down. The Aggies never got going, but the talent in the passing game for Ohio State is notably more impressive at the top and in depth. While I think Miami can keep it close early, it feels like Ohio State is ready to rinse everyone’s mind of that Indiana loss. They control most of this game. — Adam Holt
Ohio State Buckeyes News
Former Ohio State Buckeyes’ assistant coach is leaving the Big Ten to take a job in the SEC with a first-time head coach
The former Ohio State assistant is taking his first job in the SEC.
