Ahead of Ohio State and Miami’s Cotton Bowl matchup, the Hurricanes’ coaching staff is bracing for a wide range of looks from a Buckeye offense that could present itself differently than what opponents have seen throughout the season.
With Ohio State head coach Ryan Day assuming play-calling duties from offensive coordinator Brian Hartline, Miami expects potential wrinkles in both scheme and tempo.
Miami head coach Mario Cristobal acknowledged that the early stages of the game will be critical in determining exactly how Ohio State plans to attack.
“That’s something we got to get a feel early in the game how different it is from the Indiana game or from what they’ve done this year collectively in the 2025 season,” Cristobal said. “We’re going to have to get a feel, ‘Is it the same way they’re using the personnel? Are they using it differently? Are they using the same tempo or style of play? Are they changing it up?’
Cristobal added that Miami’s preparation has extended beyond recent Ohio State film, with the Hurricanes also studying common opponents, similar defensive schemes, and past Buckeye offenses under Day to spot trends and possible adjustments.
“That’s where, early on, trying to go through and watch similar games, common opponents, similar defensive structures and styles, seeing how they’ve tried to attack people and trying to go all the way back to the games from a couple years ago against them, trying to see what changes there are and what similarities there are.”
Ohio State offenses under Day have traditionally leaned on the passing game. His two seasons as offensive coordinator are highlighted by the 2018 Buckeye offense, when Dwayne Haskins Jr. shattered school records with 4,831 passing yards, 50 touchdown passes and 345.1 yards per game.
This season, Ohio State’s offense ranks 26th nationally at 270.1 passing yards per game, a notable step back from the lofty standard set by the Buckeyes and Dwayne Haskins in 2018. However, Ohio State’s 2025 roster arguably boasts a deeper and more dynamic group of wide receivers, led by All-Americans Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate.
While it remains unclear whether Day will lean pass-heavy, run-focused, or strike a balanced approach, Cristobal emphasized that Ohio State’s talent alone makes the Buckeyes a threat regardless of the offensive scheme.
“They’re the defending national champions, they have elite talent and some really high-caliber players,” Cristobal said. “Just about in every category offensively and defensively, they’re top one, two, three, four, five in the country. They do a great job coaching. They’ve got great physical and mental toughness and have played some elite football throughout the course of the season.”
Image via Lynne Sladky, AP Photo
