The Buckeyes and Hurricanes will square off in the quarterfinals of the College Football Playoff.
The 2025 College Football Playoff continues Wednesday night, as Ohio State is set to face off against Miami in the Cotton Bowl on New Year’s Eve.
The Hurricanes come into this one fresh off a win in the first round of the CFP, having taken down Texas A&M 10–3 in a back-and-forth showdown. On the season, Miami quarterback Carson Beck has been highly efficient—completing 74.5% of his passes for 3,175 yards and 26 touchdowns—while the Canes’ defense has played outstanding, allowing ACC-lows in both yards per game (281.5) and points per game (13.0).
On the opposite sideline on Wednesday night will be the Buckeyes, who earned a first-round bye in the Playoff thanks to their 12–1 record and No. 2 overall ranking on the season. Ohio State's signal caller—Julian Sayin—was a Heisman Trophy finalist in 2025 after leading the Big Ten in both completion percentage (78.4%) and passer rating (182.1) while OSU's defense, like Miami's, was elite, holding opponents to 8.2(!) points per game this year.
We’re in for a good one from AT&T Stadium on New Year’s Eve. Here are three bold predictions for Ohio State vs. Miami:
Malachi Toney will be held scoreless for the first time in nearly two months
True freshman wide receiver Malachi Toney has been an elite playmaker throughout his first season with Miami. Over 13 games, the 18-year-old has hauled in 89 receptions for 992 yards and eight touchdowns while also adding 98 yards and two additional scores on the ground.
Additionally, Toney scored a touchdown in each of the Hurricanes' last four contests—including two in a rout over N.C. State in mid-November.
On Wednesday night, however, Miami is facing an Ohio State defense that’s been stout against the pass, allowing opponents to throw for just 129.1 yards per game on them while giving up just six touchdowns to wide receivers—a handful of which were in garbage time.
Speaking of hands, the Hurricanes' will be full trying to fight through this Buckeyes secondary, which is why I’m predicting Toney to be held scoreless on Wednesday night for the first time in nearly two months.
Carson Beck will throw two interceptions against stalwart Buckeyes’ pass defense
Wednesday’s quarterback battle is an intriguing one, as Beck and Julian Sayin, who placed third in the Heisman race this year, will look to give their team the upper hand. Neither quarterback will have an easy task, but I think Beck in particular will struggle mightily against Ohio State, as many quarterbacks this season have.
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