Overview
- Minutes before kickoff, Ohio State ruled out starting right guard Tegra Tshabola; redshirt freshman Gabe VanSickle opened at guard with Joshua Padilla expected to rotate, per ESPN’s Pete Thamel.
- In the first quarter, starting defensive back Lorenzo Styles exited to the injury tent, with Devin Sanchez and Davison Igbinosun taking outside snaps and Jermaine Mathews moving into the slot.
- The winner advances to the Fiesta Bowl semifinal, with sportsbooks listing Ohio State about a 9.5-point favorite and the total around 40.5 points.
- Broadcast coverage began at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN from AT&T Stadium in Arlington, with streaming available via services offering free trials such as Fubo and DirecTV Stream.
- Ryan Day assumed play-calling for the defending champions, whose Heisman finalist QB Julian Sayin leads an attack featuring Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate against a Miami front anchored by Rueben Bain Jr. and Akheem Mesidor.