Overview
- Kickoff is 7:30 p.m. ET Wednesday at AT&T Stadium on ESPN, with Dave Pasch, Dusty Dvoracek and Quint Kessenich on the call.
- Both teams arrived in North Texas on Sunday; the winner advances to face Georgia or Ole Miss on Jan. 8.
- The defending national champion Buckeyes are the No. 2 seed and a clear favorite after a first-round bye despite their Big Ten title game loss to Indiana.
- Ohio State’s Dec. 28 availability listed 12 players, with four out including WR Quincy Porter; S Malik Hartford, QB Mason Maggs and DL Logan George are also out, RG Tegra Tshabola is doubtful, and WR Jeremiah Smith said he is fully healthy.
- Miami reached Dallas after a 10–3 CFP debut win at Texas A&M, leans on QB Carson Beck, WR Malachi Toney and RB Mark Fletcher, and brings edge rushers Rueben Bain Jr. and Akheem Mesidor who could test QB Julian Sayin behind an Ohio State line that allowed five sacks vs. Indiana; this is their first postseason meeting since the 2003 Fiesta Bowl flag that officials later upheld on review.