Miami and Ohio State 12/31/2025 Preview: Miami is Better than you Think and Will Challenge Ohio State
Miami and Ohio State will reprise the 2002 National Championship Game in the 2025-2026 quarterfinal round of the College Football Playoff. Ohio State is a 9 1/2-point favorite over Miami, though this game is likely to be closer than that. It is said that offense wins games and defense wins championships.
Miami has a great defense, almost as good as Ohio State. This is likely to be a low-scoring game, with great defense played. This article, in addition to providing relevant statistics for Ohio State and Miami, will also cover some of the best players on both teams. Miami’s last game was a 13-10 win over Texas A&M, which advanced it to this round. Do you think this will be a close and low-scoring game?
Ohio State and Miami Rankings
Both Ohio State and Miami have top-ranked defenses. Ohio State has the consensus number one defense in the nation, including fewer points surrendered per game than any other team. Miami is no slouch. They rank fifth nationally in total defense. With two strong defenses in this game, the outcome will likely be low-scoring. Because scores are likely to be low, the game will be close.
Ohio State and Miami Star Players
There are star players on both Ohio State and Miami. For the Buckeyes, it all starts and ends with Heisman finalist, quarterback Julian Sayin. Also, for the Buckeyes, one must consider their wide receivers, Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate. The Buckeyes have defensive stars at all three levels as well. On the defensive line, Keyden McDonald may be the best defensive lineman in the nation. At linebacker, Ohio State has a werewolf in Arvell Reese. Caleb Downs may be the best defensive back in the country.
If Ohio State is to win, its offensive line must play well. They did not play well in the Big Ten Championship game loss to Indiana. They did play well in the rivalry game victory over the University of Michigan. If they play well in this game, their freshman running back, Bo Jackson, will have a big game. Whether Ohio State can run the ball will be a key to victory in this game and in the rest of the College Football Playoff.
For Miami, the defense is excellent. That greatness centers on the defensive line. The Buckeyes need to look out for Rueben Bain and Akheem Mesidor, pass-rushing defensive ends. The pair of them terrorized Texas A&M quarterback Marcel Reed in the first round. They combined for 4.5 sacks in the win over Texas A&M. Defensive tackle Ahmad Moten Sr. is also capable of getting to the passer, recording 4.5 sacks this year. He is also a run stuffer. This strong defensive line could give the troubled Ohio State offensive line some problems.
The secondary for Miami also poses a pass-rushing threat. Defensive back Keionte Scott is one of the nation’s top pass-rushing defensive backs; he had two sacks against Texas A&M. Scott was a potential Thorpe Award candidate before he suffered a foot injury that knocked him out for the final three games of the season. There is also Jakobe Thomas, who played against Ohio State in last year’s College Football Playoff for Tennessee. He has played much better for the Hurricanes this season than he played for Tennessee last year.
Conclusion
Quite apart from star players and offensive and defensive rankings, there is the notion that college football teams that have recently played have an advantage. Last season in the College Football Playoff, all four teams that had a first-round bye lost. Ohio State had a first-round bye, and Miami played. This is another vote for the Hurricanes’ strong performance. This game will be a lot closer than pundits think.
