Kill Your Darlings

Ohio State's 2025 team had a few glaring weak spots, which ultimately never got solved. And that wasn't bad luck - it was a deliberate choice.

Indiana Hoosiers linebacker Isaiah Jones (46) hits Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Julian Sayin (10) during the first half of the Big Ten Conference championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis on Dec. 6, 2025.

Snap Counts: Cotton Bowl

Carson Hinzman and Jaylen McClain were Ohio State’s offensive and defensive snap leaders in 2025 and two of 10 Buckeyes who played every snap on their side of the ball vs. Miami.

Joshua Padilla and Carson Hinzman in the Cotton Bowl

OL Could Return Intact But Must Improve

Poor offensive line play cost Ohio State in its final two games of the season, leaving Tyler Bowen and the Buckeyes looking for answers to start the 2026 offseason.

Julian Sayin getting hit as he throws by Miami’s Armondo Blount

2025-26 College Football Playoff

Complete coverage of the No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes and their run in the 2025-26 College Football Playoff.

Kill Your Darlings

Ohio State's 2025 team had a few glaring weak spots, which ultimately never got solved. And that wasn't bad luck - it was a deliberate choice.

07 Jan 2026
by Ramzy Nasrallah

91 Comments

Ohio State’s PFF Grades vs. Miami

Payton Pierce, Jeremiah Smith and Caleb Downs were Pro Football Focus’ highest-rated players while three offensive linemen received the lowest grades in Ohio State’s loss to...

05 Jan 2026
by Matt Gutridge

40 Comments

Snap Counts: Cotton Bowl

Carson Hinzman and Jaylen McClain were Ohio State’s offensive and defensive snap leaders in 2025 and two of 10 Buckeyes who played every snap on their side of the ball vs. Miami.

04 Jan 2026
by Dan Hope and Matt Gutridge

24 Comments

OL Could Return Intact But Must Improve

Poor offensive line play cost Ohio State in its final two games of the season, leaving Tyler Bowen and the Buckeyes looking for answers to start the 2026 offseason.

02 Jan 2026
by Dan Hope

161 Comments

Bye Blues

Indiana was the only team with a first-round bye to win in this year’s CFP quarterfinals after all of the top four seeds lost in the quarterfinals of last year’s playoff.

01 Jan 2026
by Dan Hope

111 Comments

Third Downs Prove Costly

Miami dominated Ohio State when it mattered on third downs, proving a costly piece of situational failure for the Buckeyes.

01 Jan 2026
by Andy Anders

64 Comments

After Carmen: OSU’s Repeat Bid Falls Flat

We break down what went wrong in Ohio State’s 24-14 loss to Miami as the Buckeyes’ bid for a second straight national title falls flat in their College Football Playoff opener.

01 Jan 2026
by Dan Hope and Chase Brown

24 Comments

Day Will “Look At” Game Planning Structure

Ryan Day will “look at” Ohio State's offensive game planning and play-calling structure after it failed against Miami and said a terrible start cost the Buckeyes.

31 Dec 2025
by Andy Anders

277 Comments

Buckeyes Fall to Miami in CFP Quarterfinal

Ohio State’s season ends in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals as the Buckeyes fall to No. 10 seed Miami, 24-14, in the Cotton Bowl.

31 Dec 2025
by Dan Hope

562 Comments

Tegra Out, Other Contributors Healthy

Tegra Tshabola is out for the Cotton Bowl, but all of Ohio State's other starters are slated to be available vs. Miami.

31 Dec 2025
by Andy Anders

40 Comments

Cotton Bowl Live Hub: Ohio State vs. Miami

Follow the Eleven Warriors Live Hub for sights, sounds, and key moments as No. 2 Ohio State battles No. 10 Miami in the CFP quarterfinals at the Cotton Bowl.

31 Dec 2025
by 11W Staff

98 Comments

Ohio State vs. Miami Preview

Miami brings a serious test for Ohio State's offensive line fixes as Ryan Day returns to calling plays at the start of do-or-die season for the Buckeyes' repeat championship hopes.

30 Dec 2025
by Andy Anders

81 Comments

Cotton Bowl Media Day Notebook

We share what Keenan Bailey said about his additional duties for the CFP, C.J. Hicks and Malik Hartford said about their redshirts and more from Ohio State’s Cotton Bowl media...

31 Dec 2025
by Dan Hope

11 Comments

Last Call: Cotton Bowl

We break down the biggest questions, pick our top players to watch and make some predictions for what we’ll see as Ohio State faces Miami in the College Football Playoff...

31 Dec 2025
by Dan Hope, Andy Anders and Chase Brown

29 Comments

Day: Hartline to Coach from Field in CFP

Ryan Day says Brian Hartline will coach from the field in the CFP, Jayden Fielding remains Ohio State’s starting kicker and the Buckeyes are confident in Gabe VanSickle.

30 Dec 2025
by Dan Hope

114 Comments

Prognosticating: The Cotton Bowl

No. 2 Ohio State battles No. 10 Miami in the CFP quarterfinals at the Cotton Bowl, which means it's time for you to win a gift card to Eleven Warriors Dry Goods!

30 Dec 2025
by 11W Staff

260 Comments

Fielding Confident He’ll Bounce Back

Jayden Fielding’s phone number and home address were leaked after his Big Ten Championship Game miss, but he’s still confident in himself entering the College Football Playoff.

29 Dec 2025
by Dan Hope

165 Comments

Sicko Mode Ready for Rhapsody

Though ups and downs are expected, OSU's offensive linemen are confident in Gabe VanSickle in a featured right guard role on the CFP stage: "He's ready to go out there and swarm."

29 Dec 2025
by Andy Anders

26 Comments

Tate “Rolling” After Midseason Injury

Carnell Tate described his midseason injury as “a little bump in the road” and said he looks forward to contributing to Ohio State’s CFP run while fully healthy. “Now I’m...

29 Dec 2025
by Chase Brown

20 Comments

Hartline: Buckeyes “Front Of My Mind”

Brian Hartline says he's locked in on Ohio State, not USF, as the Buckeyes prepare for the CFP: “We’re focusing on the Buckeyes. Love the Buckeyes. It’s front of my mind.”

29 Dec 2025
by Chase Brown

76 Comments

2025-26 College Football Playoff

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