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Ohio StateMiami Meet in Cotton Bowl CFP Quarterfinal as Jeremiah Smith Returns Home

Oddsmakers side with the Buckeyes, with Miami leaning on a surging pass rush to test freshman quarterback Julian Sayin.

Overview

  • No. 3 Ohio State (12-1) faces No. 10 Miami (11-2) on Wednesday night at AT&T Stadium in Arlington in a College Football Playoff quarterfinal.
  • Jeremiah Smith, a Miami Gardens native who signed with Ohio State in 2023, acknowledged the emotion of facing his hometown team after posting 156 catches, 2,401 yards and 26 touchdowns with the Buckeyes.
  • Miami head coach Mario Cristobal praised Sayin’s poise, saying the freshman “does not look like a young guy” and appears in full control of Ohio State’s offense.
  • Miami’s front has recent production that could trouble Ohio State, with Rueben Bain coming off a three-sack game, Akheem Mesidor logging 1.5 sacks in the CFP win at Texas A&M and safety Keionte Scott adding two sacks in that stretch.
  • Sportsbooks have listed Miami as roughly a 9.5-point underdog, and Smith’s reported comments that he “has something coming” for the Hurricanes and “We’ll see Indiana again” have added bulletin-board intrigue.