Overview
- No. 2 Ohio State (12-1) meets No. 10 Miami (11-2) on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. ET at AT&T Stadium, with ESPN carrying the broadcast.
- The winner advances to the Fiesta Bowl to face the Sugar Bowl victor (Georgia or Ole Miss), and BetMGM lists Ohio State as a 9.5-point favorite.
- Ryan Day has assumed offensive playcalling duties for the playoff as wide receivers coach Brian Hartline prepares to depart for USF after the season.
- Key perimeter test: Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith (80 catches, 1,086 yards, 11 TDs) and Carnell Tate face a Miami secondary that has allowed 11 passing TDs; Smith said he most likely would have chosen Miami had the program been "on the right track" during his recruitment.
- Miami arrives off a 10-3 CFP debut win at Texas A&M and leans on edge rushers Rueben Bain Jr. and Akheem Mesidor to pressure Heisman finalist Julian Sayin (3,323 yards, 32 TDs, 78.4% completions).