Well, that sucked.
Twenty-three years ago, Miami was a touchdown-plus favorite against Miami. The Buckeyes beat the Hurricanes for the national championship that year. That was fun.
Wednesday night, Ohio State was a touchdown-plus favorite against Miami. The Hurricanes beat the Buckeyes in the Cotton Bowl to end OSU's season in the CFP quarterfinals. That wasn't fun.
After 3.5 weeks to prepare for the CFP quarterfinal, OSU did exactly what the previous four teams that had a bye in the first round of the College Football Playoff since it expanded to 12 teams last season did: Lost. Even with the format change this season, teams that have had a first-round bye in the 12-team CFP are now 0-5.
It's not an excuse, just a fact. But let's see how the social media world reacted throughout the Cotton Bowl:
Side Note: Our Hero
Hero Kanu: Once a Buckeye, always a Buckeye pic.twitter.com/rkixUyRBB3
— Eleven Warriors (@11W) December 31, 2025
Pregame
When I try to hang wallpaper pic.twitter.com/gVjh3vvr04
— Tom Orr (@TomOrr4) December 31, 2025
This KMac photo is tough pic.twitter.com/bZbFwCPadC
— Eleven Warriors (@11W) January 1, 2026
Playoff Script Ohios are back. pic.twitter.com/muHVLIEkWW
— Patrick Murphy (@_Pat_Murphy) January 1, 2026
best wide receiver in college football.pic.twitter.com/IGGYhe99v6
— Eleven Warriors (@11W) January 1, 2026
Texas' Own Payton Pierce Forces a Fumble
FUMBLE
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) January 1, 2026
THAT'S OHIO STATE FOOTBALL
GOOD PUNCH BY PAYTON PIERCE #PMSCFP pic.twitter.com/l9xSQ7HiQw
An Ugly First Quarter
First-quarter yardage: Miami 110, Ohio State 9
— Dan Hope (@Dan_Hope) January 1, 2026
Oh No, Julian
Miami's pick-six had Pat McAfee and the boys FIRED UP
— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) January 1, 2026
Watch the Field Pass with The @PatMcAfeeShow on ESPN2 and the ESPN App pic.twitter.com/kigPew5IGp
This was the Sayin sack before the pick 6. Klare was so wide open up the seam. Not sure what Sayin is looking at right now. pic.twitter.com/Hhg9XrSj7s
— Ross Fulton (@RossRFulton) January 1, 2026
An Uglier First Half
The last time Ohio State was shut out in the first half of a game was 9 years ago tonight: against Clemson in the CFP Semifinal
— ESPN Insights (@ESPNInsights) January 1, 2026
The Buckeyes would go on to lose the game, 31-0. pic.twitter.com/xoF7U0NaNS
Cursed first half.
— Eleven Warriors (@11W) January 1, 2026
He's Not Wrong
Other than offense, defense, and special teams, Ohio State dominated that half.
— Tom Orr (@TomOrr4) January 1, 2026
They should consider getting it written into the new CFP rules that they are not eligible to play on New Year's Eve.
Touchdowns are Fun!
Bo Jackson opens up the scoring for the Buckeyes
— ESPN (@espn) January 1, 2026
Watch the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic on ESPN and the ESPN App pic.twitter.com/B3YFAL7qyh
— Eleven Warriors (@11W) January 1, 2026
The Best in College Football
JULIAN SAYIN TO JEREMIAH SMITH
— ESPN (@espn) January 1, 2026
We've got a one-score game on ESPN and the ESPN App pic.twitter.com/YXW1RlGCBP
Clock Mis-Management
If you were going to let them score, there is no excuse for not calling that last timeout. You just cost yourself 40 seconds, and its going to save you far less than that on offense.
— Tom Orr (@TomOrr4) January 1, 2026
The Aftermath
I'll eat my crow. Looked totally unprepared coming out and couldn't catch back up and get stops. Shocking.
— Marc Givler (@MarcGivler) January 1, 2026
Incredible performance in the trenches by Miami. The U is here and can win it all.
— Dan Wetzel (@DanWetzel) January 1, 2026
Ohio State never got their offense going against good teams this season.
Against Texas/Indiana/Miami: 11.3 points a game
Against everyone else: 39.1 points per game
Happy New Year! Or, as theyre saying in Columbus tonight, New Year. pic.twitter.com/z90cmwkAwR
— Tom Orr (@TomOrr4) January 1, 2026
Much respect to our team first and foremost. Im proud of them. Wins and losses are part of the game. Didnt accomplish what we wanted but thats life. Thats part of sports.
— Maurice Clarett (@ReeseClarett13) January 1, 2026
Much respect to Miami. They executed and got it done. Thats what it all comes down to.
Win with
