Everything felt ready. The 2025 Ohio State Buckeyes entered the College Football Playoff as a powerhouse, a defensive juggernaut that hadn’t trailed in the second half once during the regular season. They were 12-0, fresh off a dominant win over Michigan, and despite a weird stumble in the Big Ten title game against Indiana, they were the betting favorites to win it all. Then the bowl game for Ohio State actually started.
It was New Year’s Eve. AT&T Stadium was packed. The No. 2 Buckeyes were facing a No. 10 Miami Hurricanes team that most people thought was just happy to be there. Honestly, it turned out to be a disaster for Columbus.
Ohio State lost 24-14.
The dream of back-to-back national titles evaporated in the Texas humidity. If you watched it, you saw a team that looked uncharacteristically slow, almost like they were still shaking off the rust from their first-round bye. Ryan Day said it best afterward: they put themselves behind the 8-ball and just couldn’t climb back out.
What Went Wrong in the Cotton Bowl?
The first half was a total slog. Ohio State didn’t just struggle; they were paralyzed. By halftime, they were down 14-0. For a team that had been blowing people out all year—dropping 70 on Grambling and 42 on Rutgers—seeing a zero on the scoreboard for thirty minutes was jarring.
Miami’s defensive line, led by Rueben Bain Jr. and Akheem Mesidor, basically lived in the Buckeyes' backfield. Julian Sayin, the freshman quarterback who had been so clinical all year, looked human for the first time. He was sacked five times. Think about that. Five times for a kid who usually has all day to find Jeremiah Smith.
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Then there was the Keionte Scott interception.
Sayin tried to throw a screen pass, something safe to get the rhythm going. Scott jumped it. He didn’t just pick it off; he took it 72 yards to the house. That single play felt like a gut punch. You could see the air leave the Ohio State sideline. It was the first time all season the "defensive mastermind" Matt Patricia’s unit looked like they were on their heels, mostly because the offense kept putting them in terrible spots.
The Jeremiah Smith Show Wasn’t Enough
If there’s one bright spot to talk about, it’s Jeremiah Smith. The kid is a freak. Even in a loss, he proved why he was an AP All-American as a freshman. He finished with seven catches for 157 yards.
The highlight? A 14-yard touchdown on 4th-and-2 early in the fourth quarter. It cut the lead to 17-14. At that moment, everyone in the stadium thought, Okay, here comes the comeback. This is where Ohio State takes over.
But they didn't.
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Football is often about the trenches, and Ohio State’s offensive line simply got bullied. Losing Austin Siereveld to a leg injury mid-game didn’t help. Gabe VanSickle struggled in his place. When you can’t run the ball—the Buckeyes had a measly 45 rushing yards total—you’re asking for trouble. Bo Jackson, who had been a 1,000-yard rusher during the season, found zero room to breathe.
Key Stats from the Cotton Bowl
- Final Score: Miami 24, Ohio State 14
- Total Rushing Yards: Ohio State 45, Miami 153
- Turnovers: Ohio State 2, Miami 1
- Sacks Allowed: Ohio State 5
The "Bye Week" Curse?
There’s a lot of talk today about the 12-team playoff format. Ohio State was the fifth straight team with a first-round bye to lose their quarterfinal game. That’s a weird trend. Does the week off actually hurt? Ryan Day admitted the team struggled to find their rhythm early.
Miami, on the other hand, had just come off a physical win against Texas A&M in the first round. They were battle-tested and "warm." Ohio State looked like they were still in practice mode until the third quarter. By the time they started moving the ball, Miami’s ball-control offense, led by Carson Beck, started eating the clock.
Mark Fletcher Jr. was a nightmare for the Buckeyes. He wasn't flashy, but he was efficient, grinding out 90 yards and keeping the chains moving. When CharMar Brown punched in that 5-yard touchdown with less than a minute left, it was over. The bowl game for Ohio State ended with a Jakobe Thomas interception of Sayin, sealing the upset.
Why This Loss Stings More Than Usual
This wasn't just any loss. It was a failure to repeat with arguably the most talented roster in the country. This team was loaded. You had Matt Patricia running the defense, Brian Hartline calling plays, and a roster full of future Sunday starters.
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The expectations were national championship or bust.
When you go 12-0 and beat Michigan 27-9, the fan base expects a trophy. Losing to a No. 10 seed Hurricanes team in the quarterfinals feels like a massive regression. It raises questions about the offensive line’s development and whether the Buckeyes can handle physical, defensive-minded teams that take away the deep ball.
Looking Ahead to 2026
So, what now? The offseason in Columbus is going to be loud. Ryan Day is already talking about evaluating the staff and the scheme.
- Quarterback Development: Julian Sayin is still the future. He’s a sophomore next year, and while the Cotton Bowl was rough, his 287 yards showed he can sling it. He just needs to learn when to throw the ball away instead of taking those massive sacks.
- The Portal is Key: Expect the Buckeyes to be aggressive in the transfer portal for offensive tackle depth. The Siereveld injury exposed a lack of reliable backups at the highest level.
- Defensive Identity: Matt Patricia’s defense was statistically the best in the nation for most of 2025. They’ll lose some seniors, but the core remains elite. They just need an offense that doesn't leave them on the field for 37 minutes.
The reality is that Ohio State is still a top-three program. One bad night in Arlington doesn't change the fact that they are built for the long haul. But for the fans who traveled to Texas, that New Year's Eve loss is going to burn for a long time.
If you're following the team's moves this winter, keep an eye on the offensive line coaching staff and any potential coordinator shifts. The talent is there, but as the Cotton Bowl proved, talent alone doesn't win in the new playoff era. You need to be ready to hit from the first whistle.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans:
- Monitor the transfer portal specifically for O-line reinforcements; this was the biggest weakness exposed by Miami.
- Watch for underclassmen like Bo Jackson and Jeremiah Smith to take on larger leadership roles as several defensive seniors depart for the NFL Draft.
- Review the 2026 schedule early, as the Buckeyes open with high-stakes matchups that will test if they've fixed the "slow start" issues seen in this playoff run.