Dec. 27, 2025, 12:37 p.m. ET
It seems like an eternity since we’ve seen the Ohio State football team take the field, especially considering the last time it happened, the Buckeyes lost their first game of the year in the Big Ten Championship Game vs. Indiana.
Now that Ohio State has had over a month to lick its wounds, regroup, and plan for how it will go on a run similar to what we saw last year to win the College Football Playoff national championship, it’s time to get things ramped back up again. OSU will take on the No. 10 seed Miami Hurricanes in the Cotton Bowl Classic as a CFP quarterfinal matchup, and we’ll have plenty to preview leading into that game.
First, though, it’s time to look at the odds makers and see what they say about the favorite, the over/under, and the moneyline in this one as we sit just a few days out from watching things unfold in Arlington, Texas.
Here’s what Vegas says about Ohio State vs. Miami and a prediction from around the media blogosphere.
Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Saturday, December 27
Need a news break? Check out the all new PLAY hub with puzzles, games and more!Moneyline: Ohio State (-350), Miami (+280)Spread: Ohio State by -9.5Over/under: 42 1/2Ohio State vs. Miami predictions, picks for CFP Cotton Bowl Classic
Ohio State 24, Miami 16: This might be hyperbolic, and I totally guarantee I’ll use this same line in the next round with the team that wins this, but this might just be the national championship. That’s how good the lines and the two defenses are.Carson Beck has NFL talent and upside. There was a time not all that long ago when he was considered a possible No. 1 overall pick. However, Miami got away with not forcing him to do anything big.
Texas A&M had the No. 1 third-down defense in the country, and Miami wasn’t even close to cracking it, going 3-of-12 with the running game mostly taking care of the short plays.Ohio State is No. 2 in the nation in third-down defense. Miami has to open it up, and it has to do it against the best secondary and pass defense in college football.Miami will win more than its share of battles. The pass rush will get to Julian Sayin enough to matter, but the Ohio State receivers will take over when they have to.Â
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