Overview
- The quarterfinal kicks off at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, with television coverage on ESPN and streaming options available.
- Ohio State is the largest favorite of the round at -9.5, and the total is 40.5, the lowest over/under among the quarterfinals.
- Miami advanced with a 10-3 first-round win over Texas A&M, powered by Mark Fletcher’s 172 rushing yards and a late Malachi Toney touchdown.
- The Buckeyes enter as defending national champions, making a third straight Cotton Bowl appearance after their Dec. 6 loss to No. 1 Indiana.
- Miami reached its first College Football Playoff when the committee placed the Hurricanes ahead of Notre Dame on the strength of a Week 1 head-to-head win.