Overview
- Kickoff is 7:30 p.m. ET Wednesday at AT&T Stadium, with No. 10 Miami (11-2) facing No. 2 Ohio State (12-1) for a semifinal berth against the Georgia–Ole Miss winner.
- Betting lines from SportsLine consensus list Ohio State -9.5 with the total around 40–42.5 and moneylines near OSU -357 and Miami +283.
- Ryan Day said preparation has been efficient, confirmed he will have final say on play-calling with Brian Hartline on the sideline and Keenan Bailey in the booth, and noted right guard Gabe VanSickle is prepared to step in with Tegra Tshabola out.
- Miami arrives off a 10-3 first‑round win at Texas A&M and head coach Mario Cristobal dismissed the underdog label, highlighting a process-driven approach against a roster he praised for elite talent.
- Previews spotlight Ohio State’s Heisman finalist QB Julian Sayin, WR Jeremiah Smith and an elite defense against Miami QB Carson Beck, freshman WR Malachi Toney and pass rusher Rueben Bain Jr., with many recalling the programs’ 2003 title-game meeting.