**Ohio State and Miami Clash in Cotton Bowl Classic Showdown**
**Meta Description:** Ohio State faces Miami in the Cotton Bowl Classic, aiming for victory after a tough loss. Key players and stats highlighted.
**URL Slug:** ohio-state-miami-cotton-bowl-classic
**Ohio State and Miami Set for Cotton Bowl Classic Showdown**
Miami and Ohio State are familiar foes in high-stakes matchups, and they will meet again in the Cotton Bowl Classic on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. ET at AT&T Stadium. Ohio State, boasting a 12-1 record and the No. 2 seed in the College Football Playoff, is looking to defend its title after receiving a bye in the first round. Meanwhile, Miami, with a 10-2 record and the No. 10 seed, pulled off an impressive upset against No. 7 Texas A&M, winning 10-3 in a defensive battle.
The Hurricanes’ defense was a standout in their victory, recording nine sacks, with Rueben Bain Jr. leading the charge with three sacks and four tackles for loss. Keionte Scott also made significant contributions, tallying 10 total tackles, two sacks, and three tackles for loss. Quarterback Carson Beck played a steady game, completing 14 of 20 passes for 103 yards and a touchdown, including an 11-yard connection with Malachi Toney late in the fourth quarter that secured Miami’s lead.
This win marked Miami’s first-ever victory in the College Football Playoff, adding to the excitement surrounding their upcoming game against Ohio State. In contrast, Ohio State is coming off a disappointing 13-10 loss to Indiana in the Big Ten Championship. Although they are well-rested from their first-round bye, they will need to navigate a different path to the College Football Playoff championship compared to last year.
Last season, Ohio State, as the No. 6 seed, did not have a bye and dominated Tennessee 42-17 in the opening round, which helped propel them to the championship. This year, they enter the quarterfinals following a loss, but their defense remains one of the best in the nation, allowing the fewest touchdowns (10) and the least yards per game (213.5) in the country. Key defensive players include safety Caleb Downs and linebackers Arvell Reese and Sonny Styles, all of whom are potential first-round NFL Draft picks.
On the offensive side, Ohio State features a formidable wide receiver duo in Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate. Smith leads the team with 80 receptions, 1,086 receiving yards, and 11 touchdowns, while Tate has 48 catches for 838 yards and nine touchdowns. A notable change for Ohio State this year is at quarterback, with Julian Sayin stepping in as the starter after Will Howard moved on to the NFL. Sayin has been highly efficient, completing 78% of his passes for 3,323 yards, 31 touchdowns, and just six interceptions.
As the Buckeyes prepare for this pivotal matchup, they hope their playoff experience will guide them to another bowl victory over Miami. This clash will mark the sixth meeting between the two teams in a formal or creative format.
**FAQ**
**What time is the Cotton Bowl Classic between Ohio State and Miami?**
The Cotton Bowl Classic is scheduled to kick off on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. ET.
