CFP Quarter-Final Preview: Miami Hurricanes vs. Ohio State

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Miami, Florida – The Miami Hurricanes shut down Texas A&M to advance in the first round of the CFP, but now they face the reigning champ, Ohio State. The Buckeyes went undefeated during the regular season, with Indiana the only team managing to defeat them in the Big Ten championship game. Ohio State earned itself a first-round bye and will now square off with the Cardiac Canes at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The Buckeyes’ defense is the best in the country, surpassing even the Hurricanes, allowing 8.2 points per game. You read that right. Illinois had the most “success,” putting up 16 points. In addition, they’ve allowed 213.5 yards per game, leading all of college football. In terms of defending against an aerial attack, the Buckeyes have been air-tight, allowing 129.1 yards per game. They’re even stingier on the ground, surrendering 84.5 yards per game.

We’re excited to welcome @CanesFootball to the 2025 @CFBPlayoff Quarterfinal at the 90th #GoodyearCottonBowl Classic.#LikeNoOther | #GoCanes pic.twitter.com/8jGTYf20Ua

— Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic (@CottonBowlGame) December 29, 2025

Offensively, the team is led by Heisman finalist Julian “Super” Sayin. The talented pocket passer produced 3,323 passing yards, recording 31 touchdowns against six interceptions. The sophomore is but one of the Canes’ concerns. The Buckeyes’ offense can really put points on the board, to the tune of averaging almost 35 points per game. It’s been a long time since these two teams squared off, with the last meeting in 2011 when UM won 24-6. To say the Hurricanes are facing a difficult opponent is an understatement. However, stats from prior games no longer apply. What matters will be what occurs on that field on New Year’s Eve.

Ohio State

Julian Sayin

SAYIN TO SMITH TUDDY @OhioStateFB pic.twitter.com/SzA0fsxlgC

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) November 8, 2025

Fernando Mendoza may have won the Heisman award, however, Ohio State’s star quarterback is widely seen as a future NFL talent. Scouting reports indicate that the sophomore possesses a strong football IQ and excels under pressure. Sayin has both the arm strength and accuracy to be already considered a top prospect for the 2027 NFL Draft. The vaunted Hurricanes’ secondary will be facing an aggressive passer who isn’t afraid to go deep and make Miami pay.

Bo Jackson

Bo Jackson is going to be a major problem for Ohio State. pic.twitter.com/iawG75mWqs

— Mekka Don (@MekkaDonMusic) November 9, 2025

This guy is money. Bo Jackson is a breakout true freshman running back who recorded 1,035 yards on 168 carries, scoring five times. Jackson averages 6.2 yards a carry, hitting the centennial mark on six occasions during the 2025 season. A highly praised four-star recruit, he is what you’d want in a leading rusher who can make explosive plays, is capable of decisive running, and can handle a heavy workload. Bo is in his first year and is already matching the legendary namesake. UM must contain him.

Jeremiah Smith

JEREMIAH SMITH 😳 pic.twitter.com/heSXNHPpbj

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) November 29, 2025

This wide receiver was part of the Heisman conversation for a good portion of the season. Jeremiah Smith caught 80 passes for 1,086 yards and 11 TDs. In an attempt to keep the local talent at home, the Hurricanes heavily recruited the Miami Gardens native to no avail. Smith committed himself to Ohio State and remains devoted to the Buckeyes. Jeremiah has the body of a linebacker combined with the speed and agility of a sprinter, making him a high threat to the Canes’ defense and a key to victory.

Sonny Styles/Caden Curry

Caden Curry has come out to play. Stud pic.twitter.com/5Cv5qSVbr2

— Billy M (@BillyM_91) December 7, 2025

You thought I forgot about the opposing defense? Heck no, this is a two-for-one. Sonny Styles has tallied a team-leading 81 tackles, 45 of those solo. The ball-hawking linebacker broke up three passes, complemented by one interception in addition to a forced fumble. Next, we have edge rusher Caden Curry, who is among the top in the country (seventh) in sacks with 11. Curry also has 60 tackles, 36 of those solo, reinforced with two pass deflections, a forced fumble, and two fumble recoveries.

Miami Hurricanes

Carson Beck

Carson Beck Throwback Screen to
Francis Mauigoa!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/guVxrNEvt8

— Grant Speaks (@GrantSpeaks1) November 8, 2025

I will say Carson Beck being held to 103 yards is a cause for concern. The bad news is that he will be facing a far more challenging adversary. The good news is the wind will not be a factor. If Beck can minimize mistakes, the team stands a pretty decent chance of winning. It will likely come down to which defense blinks first. The sturdy O-line will need to bring its best to help the offense light up Ohio State.

Mark Fletcher Jr.

Mark Fletcher Jr. seriously impressed me vs Texas A&M pic.twitter.com/Ly5c4CJlQ7

— NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) December 22, 2025

Speaking of offense, Mark Fletcher literally carried this team against the Aggies. Racking up 172 yards, Fletcher kept the Hurricanes afloat, setting up the game-winning TD. If Beck struggles again, Fletcher and the rest of the running back corps will need to keep on grinding to put points on the scoreboard. As a reminder, the Buckeyes have only allowed 84.5 yards per game against the rush. Let’s see how the fellas react.

Malachi Toney

True freshman WR Malachi Toney is SPECIAL! He reminds me of KC Concepcion in his freshman year at NC State.

Only 17 years old… some players step on the field and just have “it” 💯 pic.twitter.com/MwyvsDEyFl

— NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) September 1, 2025

Well, Malachi Toney committed a costly fumble, but the team won regardless, and he redeemed himself with the 11-yard touchdown play late in the game. Now that the Buckeyes are next, Toney will need to play at the level we all know he is capable of. The true freshman caught five passes for 22 yards (also three carries for nine yards) in an otherwise quiet day at College Station. Now that Toney has gotten a taste of the postseason, the quarter-final should reveal a hopefully better performance.

Rueben Bain Jr.

Rueben Bain Jr. pass rush reps vs. Texas A&M…

What do you notice? pic.twitter.com/Teavu9hzeW

— NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) December 22, 2025

The Bain Train was a menace to Texas A&M, and he is ready to give some to Ohio State. Rueben Bain chalked up three sacks on Marcel Reed, and his tenacity will be needed if the Miami Hurricanes want to pull off a huge win to advance to the semi-final. Before the Big Ten Championship, Sayin was sacked a handful of times, including two by Purdue, the sole game in which he was taken down on multiple occasions. Indiana sacked him five times, a feat UM will need to replicate, and who better to help do this than Bain?

Prediction

Many think this is the end of the line for the Hurricanes. A part of me thinks they’re right. But I’ll keep on believing and say UM will edge out Ohio State in a razor-thin battle that goes down to the wire. Miami’s blueprint has been to win in the trenches and in the turnover battle while mitigating penalties. The scheme remains the same, and so does the drive to win. Final score: 24-20, Hurricanes.

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