Ohio State’s opponent for its quarterfinal matchup in the College Football Playoff is set.
No. 10 seed Miami (Fla.) (11–2, 6–2 ACC) will take on the No. 2 seed Buckeyes (12-1, 9-0 Big Ten) on Dec. 31 in the Cotton Bowl in Dallas.
Despite a rollercoaster of a season for the Hurricanes in 2025, Miami has both started and ended the season as the 10th ranked team in the nation.
The Hurricanes opened the year on Aug. 31 with a crucial 27-24 victory over then-No. 6 ranked Notre Dame in a game that would inevitably push Miami into the playoffs over the Irish.
Miami then followed its win over Notre Dame up with four straight wins, including a 49-12 thrashing over then-No. 18 South Florida in Week 3, and a tight 28-22 win over then-18th ranked Florida State in Week 5.
Though the Hurricanes would falter in two out of the next three weeks following an off week. Miami dropped a 24–21 decision to Louisville at Hard Rock Stadium on Oct. 17 after the Hurricanes senior quarterback Carson Beck tossed four interceptions to the Cardinals. Following a 42-7 win over Stanford in the ensuing week, Miami wavered once again as the Hurricanes fell to SMU 26-20 in overtime. Despite outgaining SMU 433–388, Miami saw its efforts undone by two costly interceptions from Beck. His first pick set up a short-field touchdown for the Mustangs, and the second in overtime leading directly to the score that sealed the Hurricanes’ loss.
However, Miami would win each of its final four regular season games by at least 17 points. The Hurricanes defeated Syracuse by 28, NC State by 34 and Virginia Tech by 17 before Miami culminated its regular season with a 38-7 blowout of No. 22 Pittsburgh.
After Miami earned its No. 10 ranking and a bid into the College Football Playoffs, the Hurricanes ousted No. 7 Texas A&M 10-3 at Kyle Field in College Station, Texas. It took nearly the entire game for either team to find the end zone. With just under two minutes remaining, Beck flipped a pass to freshman Malachi Toney on a jet sweep play, as the Hurricanes wide receiver and leading specialist toted the football 11 yards into the endzone to give Miami a 7-point lead. On the Aggies’ ensuing drive, fellow freshman Bryce Fitzgerald intercepted Texas A&M quarterback Marcel Reed’s pass in the endzone to send Miami to the Cotton Bowl.
Offensively, Miami has been productive, averaging 414.5 yards of total offense per game (36th nationally) while scoring 32.2 points per contest, which ranks 29th in the FBS.
Beck holds the reins to the Hurricanes passing attack, as the former two-time national champion at Georgia has thrown for 3,175 yards and a 26-10 touchdown-to-interception ratio. The transfer quarterback has also rushed for 33 yards and a touchdown, while his 74.5 completion percentage this season ranks second only to Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin (78.4).
Toney has been Beck’s favorite target throughout the season, as speed and big-play ability have been vital for Miami this season. The freshman leads the Hurricanes with 89 receptions for 992 yards and eight touchdowns. Toney is also Miami’s leading punt returner, taking back 17 boots for 269 yards, and has added 20 carries for 98 yards and a score on the ground.
Miami also boasts two senior wide receivers in Keelan Marion and CJ Daniels, as well as sophomore tight end Elija Lofton. The trio ranks second, third and fourth on the Hurricanes with 44 receptions for 590 yards, 37 catches for 420 yards and 22 grabs for 203 yards.
The Hurricane’s run game is led by junior running back Mark Fletcher Jr. who has totaled 158 carries for 857 yards and 10 touchdowns as Miami’s bell cow this season. Sophomore back CharMar Brown ranks second on the team with 100 carries for 400 yards.
The Hurricanes offensive line ranks 10th in the FBS, allowing just one sack per game on average. Miami junior Francis Mauigoa, a 2025 consensus All-American, became the program’s first offensive lineman to earn All-America honors since 2002.
As a unit, Miami’s defense has been elite in 2025, ranking sixth nationally by allowing just 13 points per game and sitting 11th in the FBS in total defense, surrendering 281.5 yards per game.
Led by a pair of potential first-round defensive ends in Akheem Mesidor and Reuben Bain Jr., who are first and second on Miami with 13.5 TFLs and 8.5 sacks as well as 11.5 TFLs and 7.5 sacks, respectively, Miami’s defensive front is arguably the strength of the Hurricanes team.
Graduate linebacker Mohamed Toure leads Miami with 62 total tackles, while defensive back Jakobe Thomas ranks second on the Hurricanes in both tackles (58) and interceptions (four). Thomas was tied with fellow defensive back Keionte Scott for a team-high two forced fumbles and fumble recoveries,
Fitzgerald is first on Miami and is tied for second in the country with six picks.
Image via Rebecca Blackwell, AP Photo
