Three Key Individual Matchups To Look Out For In Ohio State-Miami (Fla.) Cotton Bowl 

Ohio State and Miami (Fla.) will face off for the fourth time in the programs’ respective histories and for the second time in the postseason with a rematch nearly 24 years after the Buckeyes defeated the Hurricanes 31-24 in the 2002 BCS National Championship Game.

While Ohio State and Miami are two of the most well-balanced teams in the College Football Playoff, both teams also feature some of the top individual talent in the nation. 

Ahead of the Cotton Bowl. Buckeye Sports Bulletin identified the three most impactful one-on-one matchups to watch out for in Ohio State and Miami’s quarterfinal clash.

Miami Offensive Tackle Francis Mauigoa Versus Ohio State Defensive End Caden Curry 

Few matchups will be more critical than the battle in the trenches between Miami right tackle Francis Mauigoa and Ohio State defensive end Caden Curry.

Mauigoa, the No. 6 overall recruit and the 2nd-ranked offensive tackle in the class of 2023, has been the best of a Hurricanes offensive line that’s allowing just one sack per game. 

In the midst of a stellar season, Mauigoa has quickly entered talks to potentially be a first-round, and possibly top-10 draft pick in 2025. Prior to Miami’s 10–3 first-round win over Texas A&M, Mauigoa ranked sixth nationally among offensive tackles with an 85.9 overall grade and third in the country in pass blocking with an 88.8 mark, according to Pro Football Focus. 

Curry, on the other hand, is in the midst of a breakout season where he is tied for sixth nationally with 11 sacks and No. 11 in the FBS with 16.5 tackles for loss. The senior edge rusher has also totaled 60 tackles, six quarterback hurries, two breakups, two fumble recoveries and a forced fumble. Curry most recently 

With Ohio State’s strengths on defense lying in their linebacker and secondary units, it will be vital for Miami that Mauigoa can contain Curry to provide more time for senior quarterback Carson Beck and the Hurricanes’ offense to operate. 

Ohio State Nickelback Lorenzo Styles Jr. Versus Miami Wide Receiver Malachi Toney 

Nickelback Lorenzo Styles Jr. will be in for the most difficult of the Miami wide receiver- Ohio State cornerback battles, being tasked to contain the Hurricanes’ explosive freshman Malachi Toney. 

Toney leads Miami with 89 catches for 992 yards and eight touchdowns, and has also added 98 rushing yards and a score. 

The Hurricanes will likely look to be creative with the speedy Toney, including using the wideout as the team’s punt returner and on various gadget plays. Toney accounted for the Hurricanes’ lone touchdown in their matchup with the Aggies, scoring on a jet sweep on a flip from Beck with just under two minutes remaining in Miami’s first-round win over Texas A&M.

Styles ranks ninth on Ohio State with 30 total tackles, including three pass breakups and 1.5 tackles for loss. 

The graduate nickelback is sure to face a tough test, as containing Toney will be key for Ohio State to slow Miami’s passing attack and limit explosive plays. 

Miami Defensive Ends Rueben Bain Jr. And Akheem Mesidor Versus Ohio State Offensive Tackles Austin Siereveld And Phillip Daniels 

On the opposite side of the trenches, it’s difficult to say which of Miami’s star defensive ends, Rueben Bain Jr. or Akheem Mesidor, has made more of an impact for the Hurricanes this season. 

The duo of Hurricanes’ edge rushers has arguably been the most dominant pairing in college football, totaling a combined 93 tackles, 25 tackles for loss and 16 sacks. Mesidor ranks tied for No. 20 nationally in tackles for loss and tied for 5th with four forced fumbles. Bain, however, leads the Hurricanes with four quarterback hurries, as well as adding a forced fumble and an interception.

Ohio State tackles Austin Siereveld and Phillip Daniels are expected to face their toughest test of the season along a Buckeye offensive line that has been a pillar of consistency for the offense. Ohio State allowed just six sacks on the season prior to the Big Ten Championship Game and 11 total on the year, which is the sixth-best mark in the nation. 

Though if Ohio State hopes to open up its offense, it will be vital for Ohio State’s tackles to hold off the two potential 2025 NFL first-round draft picks from wreaking havoc on Sayin and Buckeye running backs in the backfield.