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.

Miami Q&A with Adam Lichtenstein

Adam Lichtenstein, who covers Miami for the Sun Sentinel, says Hurricane fans view the Cotton Bowl as a revenge game and Miami‘s pass rush is its biggest strength.

29 Dec 2025
by Dan Hope

54 Comments

Watch Ohio State Arrive in Dallas

Ohio State's players and coaches arrived at the Hilton Anatole in Dallas on Sunday, three days before the Buckeyes are scheduled to face Miami in the Cotton Bowl.

28 Dec 2025
by Chase Brown

12 Comments

CFP Depth Chart Projection

We take a look at how Ohio State’s depth chart stacks up at every position entering its College Football Playoff quarterfinal vs. Miami.

28 Dec 2025
by Dan Hope

63 Comments

Watch Ohio State Practice for Cotton Bowl

Highlights and a few observations from Ohio State's open practice window before it plays Miami in the College Football Playoff.

26 Dec 2025
by Andy Anders and Chase Brown

37 Comments

Five Keys to Victory in the Cotton Bowl

We break down the top keys to victory for Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl, including limiting Miami’s pass rush, finishing drives in the red zone and forcing Carson Beck into...

26 Dec 2025
by Dan Hope

61 Comments

Recruiting Battles That Shaped OSU, Miami

Ohio State and Miami have battled often on the recruiting trail, including three Ohio State starters from Miami’s backyard and three former Ohio State commits on Miami’s...

25 Dec 2025
by Dan Hope

26 Comments

OL Getting Back to Basics on Pass Pro

After nearly doubling its sacks allowed total for the season against Indiana, Ohio State's offensive line is getting back to basics while Julian Sayin works on getting the ball out...

24 Dec 2025
by Andy Anders

64 Comments

Hurricanes Impressed By Sayin, OSU Defense

Miami players offered plenty of praise for Ohio State’s offense and defense, but defensive end Akheem Mesidor says the Hurricanes aren’t worried about being underdogs.

23 Dec 2025
by Dan Hope

26 Comments

Smith Fully Healthy, Motivated for Miami

Healthy for the College Football Playoff after battling a quad strain in November, Jeremiah Smith is excited to play his hometown team and hungry to win another national...

23 Dec 2025
by Dan Hope

22 Comments

Is Miami's Run Game Success Sustainable?

Miami produced one of its best rushing performances of the season vs. Texas A&M, but is that success sustainable against a top-five Ohio State run defense?

23 Dec 2025
by Andy Anders

40 Comments

Day Taking Over Play-Calling for CFP

Ryan Day is taking over Ohio State's play calling for the College Football Playoff, though it will remain a "group effort."

22 Dec 2025
by Andy Anders

276 Comments

Defense Angry, Unsatisfied

Kayden McDonald doesn't feel he can be blocked regardless of who's in front of him, and all of OSU's defenders remain unsatisfied with their performance after the Indiana loss.

22 Dec 2025
by Andy Anders

32 Comments

Cristobal: Ohio State Has “Elite Talent”

Miami coach Mario Cristobal and his coordinators praised Ohio State and its talented roster, including "NFL prototype" Jeremiah Smith and "top shelf, Sunday player" Julian Sayin.

22 Dec 2025
by Chase Brown

23 Comments

Day: “Everybody is Pissed Off”

Ryan Day said “everybody is pissed off” about losing to Indiana, Jeremiah Smith “willed himself to be healthy” for the Michigan game and Miami is “really talented.”

22 Dec 2025
by Dan Hope

54 Comments

Press Coverage: Is Day Calling Plays Good?

We recap a news-filled day of interviews as Ryan Day takes back play-calling duties, Tegra Tshabola will miss the Cotton Bowl and Jeremiah Smith reveals the severity of his injury.

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

26 Comments

Tshabola Sidelined by Injury

Ohio State right guard Tegra Tshabola will miss at least the start of the College Football Playoff due to injury. Gabe VanSickle and Joshua Padilla will play in his place.

22 Dec 2025
by Dan Hope

57 Comments

Smith Played Through Quad Strain vs. UM

Jeremiah Smith played through a quad strain at the end of the season but says he’s fully healthy now, and Keenan Bailey is spending more time with Ohio State's receivers.

22 Dec 2025
by Andy Anders

39 Comments

Five Things to Know About Miami

Miami's roster is decorated with dangerous weapons, especially at wide receiver and defensive end, as the Hurricanes and Buckeyes renew decades-old postseason history.

21 Dec 2025
by Andy Anders

101 Comments

Ohio State vs. Miami in Cotton Bowl

Ohio State will face Miami in the Cotton Bowl after the Hurricanes beat Texas A&M, 10-3, in the first round of the College Football Playoff on Saturday.

20 Dec 2025
by Dan Hope

325 Comments

Bucks Open -10.5 vs. Canes

Ohio State opens as a 10.5-point favorite for the Cotton Bowl as the Buckeyes face the Hurricanes for the first time in 14 seasons in the quarterfinals of the CFP.

20 Dec 2025
by 11W Staff

62 Comments

2025-26 College Football Playoff

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