College Football Playoffs Preview: Cotton Bowl Classic, Miami at Ohio State
- Zak Drapeau
- 3 hours ago
- 3 min read
by Zak Drapeau
12/30/2025
Sportz Nation
Buckeyes-Hurricanes Preview
The first matchup of Round 2 of these College Football Playoffs will be between the defending National Champion Buckeyes and the Miami Hurricanes at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. After the Hurricanes defeated the 3-seeded Texas A&M Aggies and the Buckeyes received a first-round BYE, both teams should be ready for an all out war.
After being undefeated all season heading into the B1G Championship game two weeks ago, the Buckeyes lost there first game of the season to the Indiana Hoosiers in a tightly contested, 13-10 game in Indianapolis. This being their first loss since losing 'The Game' to Michigan more than a full season ago, Ohio State should be out for revenge in their upcoming Cotton Bowl classic.
On the other side, Miami had a very up and down season leading to their controversial inclusion in these playoffs as the 10-seed. Starting the season at an impressive 5-0 start and AP-#2 ranking but would lose two games midseason to severely hurt their case. The Hurricanes would get their act together and fire off a 4-game win streak to be the final non-conference champion to make the cut.
Miami has been carried by their defensive front for most of the year as well as an inconsistent offensive passing game that is one of the best in the nation when their "on". Team stars such as Rueben Bain and Carson Beck have been the leaders but other playmakers have carried the load when needed like Wide Receiver Malachi Toney.
When it comes to stars however, this is where the Buckeyes have separated themselves all year. With possibly the 2 best players in the sport Jeremiah Smith and Caleb Downs holding down both sides of the ball and emerging stars like QB Julian Sayin and LB Arvell Reese also making cases for being the best at their position as well, the Buckeyes have had a clear edge on every team they've faced this year and the Cotton Bowl Classic will be no different.
Their matchup will be one carried by both defenses and likely stay low-scoring throughout. Not only has both teams been among the best groups of the season, but they both have Top-10 draft picks on that side of the ball. For the Hurricanes, Rueben Bain Jr is a D-End and D-Tackle hybrid that has some of the best instincts and athleticism of his class and should make him an EASY Top-5 pick. For Ohio State, their Defensive Back Caleb Downs may be the most complete Safety I've ever seen come out of college and if he doesn't go Top-5 it will only because the league doesn't value Safeties.
My Predictions
Heading into the 2025 Cotton Bowl Classic, the Buckeyes are favored by 9.5 points which is the widest margin of any games of Round 2. The game also has the smallest Over/Under of the round with both teams' defenses being some of the best this season. Ranking 1st and 4th respectively, both the Buckeyes and Hurricanes have been some of the leaders in defensive points allowed all year with the Buckeyes especially being a stringent group.
When it comes to my prediction of the game, I do believe the Buckeyes will beat my Hurricanes in a slow-tempo and low-scoring game just as the odds makers have predicted. I believe the biggest determinant of this will be Carson Beck's tendency to throw interceptions in big games.
I believe Miami has good playmakers and a great future but Ohio State is a complete team with all time playmakers and a great coach. The Buckeyes are one of the best teams in the nation and in my opinion will at least make it back to the Natty and likely beat Indiana this time around.
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-Z.D.