Dec. 21, 2025, 2:47 p.m. ET
The Ohio State Buckeyes are officially set to face the Miami Hurricanes in the Cotton Bowl on December 31 in Arlington, Texas. This will mark the sixth meeting between two of college football’s most storied programs, a matchup that has repeatedly carried national significance. Ohio State opens as a 10-point favorite in the 2025 contest, but history suggests these teams rarely meet without drama. Here is a look back at the memorable clashes between the Buckeyes and Hurricanes.
Ohio State vs. Miami first meeting in 1977
Miami traveled to Columbus in 1977 for the first matchup between the programs. The game turned into a defensive battle, with Ohio State emerging victorious 10–0 to take a 1–0 lead in the all-time series.
Ohio State vs. Miami1999 Kickoff Classic
The teams met again more than two decades later in the 1999 Kickoff Classic at the Meadowlands in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Miami controlled the game and earned a 23–12 victory, evening the series and announcing the Hurricanes as a national force entering the new season.
Need a news break? Check out the all new PLAY hub with puzzles, games and more!Ohio State vs. Miami 2003 Fiesta Bowl Game of the Century
One of the most iconic games in college football history came in the 2003 Fiesta Bowl. Ohio State stunned the heavily favored Hurricanes with a 31–24 double-overtime victory to win the BCS National Championship, ending Miami’s 34-game winning streak. Buckeye fans will never forget the legendary “steal” play by Maurice Clarett. After Miami intercepted a pass in the end zone, safety Sean Taylor attempted to return it, only to be chased down by Clarett, who stripped the ball loose and preserved Ohio State’s championship hopes. The Buckeyes would later seal the title with a Clarett touchdown, securing their first national championship since 1970.
Ohio State vs. Miami 2010 Matchup
In 2010, No. 12 Miami traveled to Columbus to face No. 2 Ohio State in a high-scoring, entertaining contest. Miami jumped out to an early lead, but the Buckeyes responded behind a dominant performance from Terrelle Pryor Sr., who accounted for nearly 350 total yards. Ohio State won 36–24, though the victory was later vacated due to NCAA sanctions.
Ohio State vs. Miami 2011 Game in Miami
The following season, Miami hosted Ohio State and delivered a decisive performance. The Hurricanes rushed for 240 yards on 42 carries, controlling the game from start to finish. Ohio State’s offense struggled mightily, especially through the air, as Joe Bauserman and Braxton Miller combined to complete just 4 of 18 passes for 45 yards and an interception. Miami cruised to a 24–6 win, highlighted by two touchdown catches from a young Allen Hurns. The result was considered an upset, as Ohio State was ranked No. 17 and Miami was unranked at the time.
The 2011 matchup remains the last meeting between the two programs. With Ohio State’s 2010 win vacated, the series officially stands tied at 2–2. The Buckeyes can take a 3–2 lead in the all-time series, but only by winning a crucial Cotton Bowl matchup on their path toward repeating as national champions.
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