Ohio State Buckeyes vs Miami Hurricanes | CFP Quarterfinal (Cotton Bowl) Preview & Prediction

Jeremiah Smith, Julian Sayin, Caleb Downs, Ryan Day and the Ohio State Buckeyes take on Carson Beck, Malachi Toney, Reuben Bain Jr and the Miami Hurricanes in the Cotton Bowl Classic. The College Football Playoff has 4 great matchups but none like these iconic programs playing in a rematch of the 2002 National Championship game.

Mario Cristobal and his Canes pulled off an impressive upset knocking Marcel Reed and the Aggies out, they did it through sheer will, Akheem Mesidor was a game wrecker next to Bain and these 2 may cause huge problems for Brian Hartline and his offense. The Matt Patrica Ohio State defense is the best in the country and have NFL talent everywhere, Kenyatta Jackson Jr, Caden Curry, Kayden McDonald form a fierce front and behind them Arvell Reese and Sonny Styles make up the best linebacker duo maybe in the last 5 year or more in the sport, James Lauranitas has done an incredible job with them. The key will be slowing down Mark Fletcher Jr and getting pressure on Beck to limit the deep throws down field to Malachi Toney, Keelan Marion and CJ Daniels, as they will want to attempt on Ohio State’s cornerbacks Jermaine Matthews, Davison Igbinosun who is always a possible flag risk and Lorenzo Styles Jr. who got picked on in the Big 10 Championship game. Shannon Dawson has his most difficult game ahead ahead of him, if Miami found a way to beat Ohio State, the most talented team in the playoff would be in the rear view mirror.

The offensive line for the Hurricanes is great, Francis Mauigoa anchors the right side and he’ll have to deal with all of the multiple fronts and disguises that the Buckeyes use, that elevates them beyond a sounds fundamentl unit with NFL talent, but one that is very well coaches very similarly to Corey Hetherman and his defense which will need to overwhelm Carson Hinzman, Austin Siereveld, Phillip Daniels and the Buckeyes offensive line and limit the running game with true freshman Bo Jackson and also James Peoples, CJ Donaldson, the Indiana front was great but this line they’ll face New Years Eve might have even have better top end premier talent.

Carnell Tate and Max Klare are key pieces to an offense that likely struggles to run the ball and get cheap easy yards, if Miami doubles Jeremiah Smith, then these 2 threats will have to play well, the Zechariah Poyser injury could be important for Miami’s secondary.

This game likely comes down to which quarterback has less mistakes and whether Beck or Sayin can push the ball down the field aggressively, but also avoid sacks and turning the ball over Ohio State is 9.5 point favorites in the Cotton Bowl with the best odds to win the National Championship. Enjoy this CFP Quarterfinal Matchup Preview from Blitz With Blinder Video hosted by Josh Blinder.