Ohio State vs. Miami live updates, score: Follow College Football Playoff quarterfinal action

Ohio State’s national title defense begins at the Cotton Bowl against a team that many didn’t think would make the College Football Playoff field.

Miami backdoored into the postseason in the final CFP rankings and then proved it belonged with a road comeback against Texas A&M.

Which team will be moving on to the Fiesta Bowl on Jan. 8? Here’s how to watch all the College Football Playoff games (scroll for live updates).

No. 2 Ohio State vs. No. 10 Miami (7:30 ET, ESPN)

After an undefeated regular season that included wins over Texas and Michigan, the Buckeyes entered the conference title game as one of just two undefeated teams in college football. But Indiana won the Big Ten title game slugfest 13-10. How will the Buckeyes respond?

It’s probably fair to also use the term slugfest to describe what took place in College Station on Dec. 20. The Hurricanes and Aggies combined for 13 points in Miami’s 10-3 victory and the only touchdown of the game came with less than two minutes to go.

Miami’s defensive front took over in the second half of the win over A&M. Can it get that type of pressure against Ohio State? That’s Miami’s best chance of pulling the upset. OSU QB Julian Sayin was sacked five times in the Big Ten title game loss to Indiana.

However, the Hurricanes have to score too. Ohio State hasn’t given up more than 16 points to an opponent all season and just five teams have scored 10 or more points. Miami averaged 5.7 yards per play against the Aggies but had three missed field goals and a turnover. There will be far, far less margin for error on Wednesday night.

Live3 updatesWed, December 31, 2025 at 4:15 PM PST

Yahoo Sports Staff

Everything was going so well. The Ohio State Buckeyes, fresh off a 2024 national championship, spent all of one day of the 2025 season out of the No. 1 spot. And then they got beaten in the title game by Indiana in the Big Ten title game.

Ohio State posted its lowest point total of the season. A crucial interception and missed field goal denied Ohio State the opportunity to put necessary points on the board, and the Buckeyes failed to convert a fourth-and-1 attempt on Indiana’s 5.

It might end up being the best thing possible to happen to the Buckeyes as they aim to repeat as national champions.

Ohio State vs. Miami live updates, score: Follow College Football Playoff quarterfinal action

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