No. 10 Miami Holds Off No. 2 Ohio State To Advance To College Football Playoff Semifinals

In a game reminiscent of the last time these two teams played each other on this stage in college football, the tenth-seeded Miami Hurricanes sent the reigning Ohio State Buckeyes packing 24-14 in the Cotton Bowl Classic.

Miami’s Defense Leads Hurricanes to Victory

In a familiar sight for Hurricanes fans since the Mario Cristobal era began in Miami back in 2021, the Hurricanes leaned on their vaunted defense to lead them to another playoff win. The Hurricanes held the high-powered Buckeye offense to just 3-of-10 on third downs for the game, as they effectively shut down Ohio State for the better part of three quarters tonight.

While the defense was busy putting on a masterful performance, the Hurricanes’ offense went full smash mouth football as they ran all over the Buckeyes vaunted defense. Miami finished with 153 yards rushing against the top-ranked rushing defense in the nation.

That ground and pound approach by the Hurricanes was led by junior Running Back Mark Fletcher Jr., who had a sensational game for Miami. The third team All-ACC member ran for 90 yards to help propel the Hurricanes past the Buckeyes.

Ohio State’s Slow Start On Offense Leads To Second Straight Loss

Much like in their loss against Indiana in the Big 10 Championship Game earlier this month, the Buckeyes’ offense could not find its rhythm for the majority of the game yet again. Much of that slow start manifested in the Buckeyes’ inability to produce much on the ground, as they finished with just 45 rushing yards overall.

Another key factor in the Buckeyes’ poor showing on offense was the underwhelming performance of freshman QB Julian Sayin. While the Heisman finalist finished with a decent 287 yards passing, it was Sayin’s two interceptions, including a pick-six in the first quarter, that ultimately ended the Buckeyes back-to-back title hopes tonight.

The only positive note on the Buckeyes’ offense tonight was the play of their superstar receiver Jeremiah Smith, who continued his penchant for playing at his best in the biggest games. The All-American receiver lit up the Hurricanes’ stout secondary for 157 yards and a touchdown in the loss for Ohio State.

Both Teams Deliver Another Classic Nearly 23 Years Later

This wasn’t the first time both Miami and Ohio State met each other on one of the biggest stages in college football, as tonight’s game played out similarly to one of the more infamous games in both of these programs’ storied histories.

The 2003 BCS National Championship Game saw the Ohio State Buckeyes narrowly defeat the Miami Hurricanes 31-24 in double-overtime to win their first national championship in over 33 years. That win came against one of the greatest teams in college football history, as that Hurricanes squad was loaded with future all-time NFL players such as Ed Reed, Frank Gore, and Andre Johnson.

That win by Ohio State also snapped Miami’s 34-game win streak, which ranks as the sixth-longest win streak in college football history. For Hurricanes fans, tonight’s win serves as a bit of revenge for that national championship loss all those years ago.

What Lies Ahead For Miami in the CFP Semifinals

Following tonight’s win, the Hurricanes are one step away from advancing to their first national championship game since that 2003 game versus Ohio State. However, the path that lies ahead won’t be any easier, as Miami awaits a date with either Ole Miss or Georgia next week.

Although going off of Miami’s performances against Texas A&M in the first round and tonight against Ohio State, don’t think the Hurricanes can’t replicate another dominant defensive performance come next Thursday.