No. 10 Miami (11-2) vs. No. 2 Ohio State (12-1), Wednesday, 7:30 p.m., ESPN
Latest line: Ohio State is favored by 9 1/2 points
Adam Lichtenstein, Miami Hurricanes Writer: Ohio State 28, Miami 21
The Hurricanes have had a fantastic season, making the College Football Playoff for the first time and winning a first-round game on the road. Now they run into a buzzsaw. Ohio State spent nearly the whole season at No. 1. They feature a Heisman Trophy finalist in quarterback Julian Sayin, the wide receiver who is widely accepted as not just the best receiver but the best player in the nation, Jeremiah Smith, and a fierce defense that includes All-Americans Kayden McDonald, Arvell Reese and Caleb Downs. The Buckeyes are not unbeatable; they fell to No. 1 Indiana by three points in the Big Ten Championship Game. UM has a chance. That’s why they play the games. But Miami is a big underdog for a reason.
Dave Hyde, Sun Sentinel Sports Columnist: Miami 27, Ohio State 24
Upset? It will be on the national scale. But it’s not so much of one the way Miami has been playing in this last stretch of season and the Texas A&M playoff game. Ohio state showed its mortal in losing to Indiana in a tight game in the Big Ten Championship Game. This will be another of those. Miami has the offensive and defensive lines to equalize Ohio State’s strength and wild card in Malachi Toney. It’s time for Miami to make its biggest statement yet.
Keven Lerner, Assistant Sports Editor: Ohio State 34, Miami 20
Ohio State, eyeing another national championship, is favored by 9 1/2 points for good reason. The Buckeyes were ranked first in most polls for most of the season and their only loss was to current No. 1 seed, Indiana, in the Big Ten Championship Game. UM will have its hands full with former Chaminade-Madonna star Jeremiah Smith, who arguably is the nation’s top wide receiver. Ohio State also boasts the nation’s best safety in Caleb Downs and one of the top quarterbacks in Julian Sayin, a Heisman Trophy finalist with 31 touchdowns and just six interceptions. Miami QB Carson Beck could have a rough day against the Buckeyes’ stellar defense.