Overview
- Kickoff is Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN from AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
- BetMGM lists Ohio State as a 9.5-point favorite over Miami entering the quarterfinal.
- The winner advances to the Fiesta Bowl to face the Sugar Bowl winner between Georgia and Ole Miss.
- Ohio State brings an elite defense and prolific passing attack led by QB Julian Sayin, with star wideouts Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate facing a Hurricanes secondary that has allowed only 11 passing touchdowns.
- Miami arrives after a 10-3 road win at Texas A&M, leaning on edge rushers Rueben Bain Jr. and Akheem Mesidor and takeaway threat Bryce Fitzgerald, while Ohio State also made news with a 2027 verbal commitment from five-star edge David “DJ” Jacobs.