Overview
- Kickoff is Dec. 31 at 7:30 p.m. ET at AT&T Stadium on ESPN, with Dave Pasch, Dusty Dvoracek and Quint Kessenich calling the quarterfinal.
- ESPN Analytics gives No. 2 Ohio State a 70.5% win probability over No. 10 Miami, and the Buckeyes are around a 9.5-point favorite.
- Miami’s path is built on pressure from Rueben Bain Jr. and Akheem Mesidor against an Ohio State offensive line that has shown vulnerability, a matchup widely cited as decisive for Julian Sayin’s timing.
- The Buckeyes bring a high-end passing attack with Heisman finalist Julian Sayin and elite receiver Jeremiah Smith, and they pair it with one of the nation’s top run defenses anchored by Kayden McDonald.
- Miami’s special-teams and red-zone execution remain under scrutiny after three missed field goals and stalled drives at Texas A&M, though the Cotton Bowl’s dome removes wind as a factor for kicker Carter Davis.