If you’re staring at your phone trying to figure out what was the score of the ohio state football game, you’re probably either a relieved Miami fan or a Buckeye supporter currently questioning every life choice that led you to Arlington, Texas. On New Year’s Eve, the No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes saw their repeat national title dreams vanish in a cloud of AT&T Stadium confetti—but not the kind they wanted.
The final score was Miami 24, Ohio State 14.
It wasn't just a loss. It was a weird, grinding, uncharacteristic thud for a team that had looked invincible for three months. Honestly, the 10-point margin feels closer than the game actually was for most of the second half. If you missed the Cotton Bowl because you were busy prepping for a party, here is the messy reality of how the Buckeyes fell.
Why the Cotton Bowl Scoreboard Told a Lie
For most of the season, Ohio State’s defense was a literal brick wall. They hadn't allowed more than 16 points to a single regular-season opponent. Then came Miami. The Hurricanes didn't just walk into the College Football Playoff quarterfinal; they kicked the door down.
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By the time the first quarter ended, the Buckeyes were down 14-0. That’s a death sentence when you’re playing a Miami team that specializes in "constriction" football. The most backbreaking moment? A 72-yard pick-six by Miami cornerback Keionte Scott. Watching Julian Sayin—the freshman phenom who usually looks like he’s playing in slow motion—get baited into that throw was the first sign that things were going south.
The Offensive Stall in Arlington
Everyone expected the Buckeyes' offense to eventually wake up. We’ve seen it a dozen times. Jeremiah Smith is usually a human highlight reel, and he did his part, racking up 157 yards and a touchdown. But yards don't always equal points.
- Sack City: Julian Sayin was sacked five times. Five. For context, he was only sacked six times during the entire regular season.
- The Ground Game: Bo Jackson managed a touchdown but was held to just 55 yards. Ohio State finished with only 45 rushing yards as a team.
- Third Down Woes: The Buckeyes went 3-of-10 on third down. You can't win a playoff game when you’re constantly punting on 4th and 6.
Basically, Miami’s defensive front, led by Akheem Mesidor and Rueben Bain Jr., lived in the Ohio State backfield. It felt like every time Sayin hit the top of his drop, there was a Hurricane in his face.
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Matt Patricia and the Defensive Letdown
Kinda the biggest shock of the night was the defense. Under Matt Patricia, this unit was supposed to be the "Great Wall of Columbus." Instead, Carson Beck just... picked them apart. He wasn’t flashy. He threw for 138 yards. But he completed 13 straight passes at one point. He stayed on schedule. He let Mark Fletcher Jr. grind out 90 yards on the ground to keep the clock moving.
When CharMar Brown punched in that late fourth-quarter touchdown to make it 24-14, the air just left the stadium. The Buckeyes had no answers. They looked tired. They looked human.
Looking Ahead to the 2026 Season
So, where does this leave the Buckeyes? 12-2 is a great season for 99% of programs, but in Columbus, it’s a failure if there’s no trophy at the end. Ryan Day has already hinted that he’s going to "look at" the game-planning structure. That’s coach-speak for "some things are going to change."
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The transfer portal is already humming. With several defensive stars likely heading to the NFL, the Buckeyes are going to be aggressive. They need offensive line help—badly. The Cotton Bowl proved that even the best skill players in the world can't do much if the quarterback is running for his life every three seconds.
Immediate Next Steps for Fans
- Watch the Portal: Expect Ohio State to target at least two veteran offensive tackles in the coming weeks.
- Review the Freshman Class: Keep an eye on the early enrollees; with the exodus to the NFL, several 2026 recruits might see the field sooner than expected.
- Spring Game Prep: Mark your calendars for April. The battle for the offensive line starting spots starts then, and it’s going to be the most important storyline of the spring.
The sting of the what was the score of the ohio state football game search will eventually fade, but the 24-14 reality is going to fuel a very long, very intense off-season in Ohio.