Ohio State begins national title defense with Cotton Bowl Classic matchup vs Miami

Joel Klatt joins Colin Cowherd to ask if Miami can upset Ohio State, discuss Dante Moore and Oregon potentially struggling vs. Texas Tech, and if Fernando Mendoza can have a big game vs. Alabama.

Miami and Ohio State are no strangers to playing each other in big games. 

On Wednesday, the two teams will play each other in the Cotton Bowl Classic at 7:30 p.m. ET at AT&T Stadium. Ohio State, who is 12-1 and the No. 2 seed in the College Football Playoff, enjoyed a bye through the first round as they look to defend their title. 

Miami, who was 10-2 and the No. 10 seed in the College Football Playoff, upset No. 7 Texas A&M on the road in the first round in a defensive struggle, winning 10-3. 

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

(Left) Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Julian Sayin (10) looks on against the Indiana Hoosiers during the 2025 Big Ten championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana, on Dec. 6, 2025. (Right) Miami Hurricanes quarterback Carson Beck (11) looks on during the game between the Texas A&M Aggies and the Hurricanes at Kyle Field in College Station, Texas, on Dec. 20, 2025. (Aaron Doster/Imagn Images;Jerome Miron/Imagn Images)

The Hurricanes' defense had nine sacks on the day, with potential first-round pick Rueben Bain Jr. having a team-high three sacks and four tackles for loss. Keionte Scott had 10 total tackles with two sacks and three tackles for loss as well. 

Quarterback Carson Beck was solid, yet unspectacular, in the win for Miami. He completed 14 of 20 passes for 103 yards and a touchdown, connecting with Malachi Toney on an 11-yard pass late in the fourth quarter to give Miami a lead they would not relinquish.

The win for Miami over Texas A&M was their first ever