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No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes and No. 10 Miami Hurricanes collide Wednesday night in the Cotton Bowl with a College Football Playoff semifinal berth at stake.
Miami arrives in Dallas riding momentum after a 10-3 road victory at Texas A&M in the opening round, once again playing the role of spoiler. The matchup evokes memories of the programs’ iconic meeting in the 2002 national championship game, when Miami fell to Ohio State 31-24 in double overtime at the Fiesta Bowl in a contest remembered simply as “The Call.”
More than two decades later, the roles are reversed. Miami enters as a 9½-point underdog, while Ohio State is favored behind the nation’s most dominant defense. That earlier meeting turned into a shootout. This one is shaping up as a battle in the trenches.
Ohio State is loaded on both sides of the ball and led by sophomore quarterback Julian Sayin, who put together a Heisman-caliber season. Sayin threw for 3,323 yards, 31 touchdowns and six interceptions, eclipsing 300 yards with at least three touchdown passes five times. He has thrived behind an offensive line that allowed just 11 sacks, throwing 11 touchdown passes of 30 yards or more.
His primary targets, Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate, form one of the nation’s most dangerous receiving duos. Smith surpassed 1,000 yards with 11 touchdowns, earned unanimous All-America honors and was a finalist for the Biletnikoff Award. Tate added 838 yards and nine scores, emerging as a potential first-round NFL draft pick.
Miami’s path to an upset begins up front. The Hurricanes finished fourth nationally with 41 sacks, led by Ruben Bain Jr. and Akheem Mesidor. Bain recorded three sacks against Texas A&M, while Mesidor added 1½ as Miami pressured Aggies quarterback Marcel Reed seven times.
Offensively, Miami will look to control the game with the run. Running back Mark Fletcher Jr. rushed for 172 yards on 17 carries in the opening-round win, showing a physical, downhill style. Sustaining the ground attack could open opportunities downfield for freshman wideout Malachi Toney, though he faces a stiff test against an Ohio State secondary anchored by unanimous All-American Caleb Downs.
Miami quarterback Carson Beck enters behind an offensive line that allowed just 13 sacks all season. That protection will be tested by Ohio State’s pass rush, led by defensive end Caden Curry and linebacker Arvell Reece.
Statistically, the teams are evenly matched. Ohio State allows an FBS-best 213.5 yards per game, while Miami ranks 10th at 281.5. The Buckeyes average 34.9 points per game, with the Hurricanes close behind at 32.2.
One turnover, one sack or one explosive play could decide the outcome. In 2002, a national championship was on the line. On Wednesday, the prize is a spot in the College Football Playoff semifinals — and another chance for history to repeat itself.
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