Carson Hinzman Confident That Ohio State’s Offensive Line Can Handle Miami’s Defensive Front

As Ohio State prepares for its Cotton Bowl matchup against Miami (Fla.) on Dec. 31, much of the focus has centered on a battle in the trenches. 

The Buckeyes’ offensive line will be tasked with slowing down one of the most disruptive defensive fronts in the country, which includes multiple defensive linemen projected to be taken in the first round of the 2025 NFL draft. 

Ohio State center Carson Hinzman had high praise for Miami’s defensive line ahead of the College Football Playoff quarterfinals, adding that he could see the talent watching Miami’s win over Texas A&M in the first round of the playoffs.  

“The interior is good, and they’re an elite-level defense,” Hinzman said. “It will be a challenge for us to go out and play competitively. Watching the A&M game, obviously, they get pressure. They do what they’re supposed to do. So it’s going to be a great challenge for us up front. Obviously, interior-wise, but obviously, the edges are elite, so it’s going to be a good opportunity for us to show what we’re about.”

Miami’s defensive line is led by star defensive ends Akheem Mesidor and Rueben Bain Jr. Bain has been a projected top 10 pick in NFL mock drafts for nearly the entire season, and for good reason. The 6-3, 275 defensive end ranks second on the Hurricanes to Mesidor with 11.5 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks. Bain was all over the field against Texas A&M on Dec. 20, recording five tackles, three sacks and a crucial blocked field goal try. 

Mesidor, on the other hand, has been more consistent for Miami this season, recording 51 tackles and five quarterback hurries as well as a team-high 13.5 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks and four forced fumbles.    

Though Miami’s defensive tackles hold their own as well, with Ahmad Moten and Justin Scott anchoring the interior as effective run stoppers for a Hurricanes defense that allows just 87 rushing yards per game, a mark that ranks seventh nationally. The pair of Moten and Scott in the middle have combined for 45 tackles and 14 tackles for loss on the season.

When asked about how Ohio State was planning on handling Miami’s talented defensive front, Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day emphasized both the talent and coaching behind Miami’s defensive front. 

“We have to block them and it’s not easy to do,” Day said. “All of them: Moten, Bain, Mesidor, they’re good players. I think (Miami defensive line coach) Jason Taylor is doing a great job down there coaching those guys and the way they play. It’s a huge challenge for our offensive line and what comes with it.” 

Despite the daunting matchup, Ohio State’s offensive line enters the Cotton Bowl with confidence built on a strong 2025 campaign. The Buckeyes surrendered just 11 sacks in 13 games, including only six during the regular season, providing quarterback Julian Sayin with consistent protection except in the conference title game, where Ohio State gave up five sacks to Indiana. 

That steadiness has been bolstered by the presence of AFCA All-Americans Hinzman and left guard Luke Montgomery, both of whom have served as anchors up front.

Even with a tall task ahead, Hinzman isn’t shying away from the challenge, as the Buckeyes’ offensive line feels they can hang with anybody in college football. 

“I think playing offensive line here, you develop an edge,” Hinzman said. “When the edge isn’t portrayed or isn’t shown in the game, it definitely fires the guys up a little bit. At the end of the day, I truly believe, the guys we have, if we’re playing at our best level, I think we can play with anyone in the country. So absolutely, it does fire us up, and I think it’s been the message throughout the room, get back to who we were.”