School soccer: Ohio State-Miami in high-stakes CFP matchup

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Miami and Ohio State are not any strangers to taking part in one another in large video games.

On Wednesday, the 2 groups will play one another within the Cotton Bowl Basic at 7:30 p.m. ET at AT&T Stadium. Ohio State, who's 12-1 and the No. 2 seed within the School Soccer Playoff, loved a bye by the primary spherical as they appear to defend their title.

Miami, who was 10-2 and the No. 10 seed within the School Soccer Playoff, upset No. 7 Texas A&M on the highway within the first spherical in a defensive wrestle, successful 10-3.

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(Left) Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Julian Sayin (10) appears to be like on towards the Indiana Hoosiers through the 2025 Massive Ten championship sport at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana, on Dec. 6, 2025. (Proper) Miami Hurricanes quarterback Carson Beck (11) appears to be like on through the sport between the Texas A&M Aggies and the Hurricanes at Kyle Area in School Station, Texas, on Dec. 20, 2025. (Aaron Doster/Imagn Photos;Jerome Miron/Imagn Photos)

The Hurricanes' protection had 9 sacks on the day, with potential first-round choose Rueben Bain Jr. having a team-high three sacks and 4 tackles for loss. Keionte Scott had 10 whole tackles with two sacks and three tackles for loss as effectively.

Quarterback Carson Beck was stable, but unspectacular, within the win for Miami. He accomplished 14 of 20 passes for 103 yards and a landing, connecting with Malachi Toney on an 11-yard cross late within the fourth quarter to offer Miami a lead they'd not relinquish.

The win for Miami over Texas A&M was their first ever within the School Soccer Playoff.

Ohio State, then again, is coming off a crushing 13-10 loss to Indiana within the Massive Ten championship. They're well-rested, as they earned the first-round bye, however will already be taking a special path to the School Soccer Playoff championship than final yr.

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Miami Hurricanes quarterback Carson Beck (11) passes towards the Pittsburgh Panthers through the first quarter at Acrisure Stadium on Nov. 29, 2025. (Charles LeClaire/Imagn Photos)

Final season, Ohio State didn't have a bye, as they have been the No. 6 seed. They dominated Tennessee, successful 42-17 within the opening spherical, serving to construct momentum for his or her eventual championship run.

This yr, nevertheless, Ohio State enters the quarterfinals coming off a loss and on a bye.

The Buckeyes are led by their protection, which is likely one of the greatest within the nation. Ohio State has yielded the fewest opposing touchdowns (10) and the fewest yards per sport (213.5) within the nation.

They're led by security Caleb Downs and linebackers Arvell Reese and Sonny Types, all three of whom might be first-round picks within the NFL Draft.

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Ohio State Buckeyes extensive receiver Jeremiah Smith (4) celebrates a catch through the NCAA soccer sport towards the Penn State Nittany Lions at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on Nov. 1, 2025. (IMAGN)

On the opposite facet of the ball, Ohio State may need the very best extensive receiver duo within the nation in Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate. Smith leads the crew with 80 receptions, 1,086 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns. Tate has 48 catches for 838 yards and 9 touchdowns.

One different distinction from this yr’s Ohio State crew is the quarterback. Will Howard went on to the NFL , leaving Julian Sayin because the starter.

Sayin has been remarkably environment friendly, finishing 78% of his passes for 3,323 yards with 31 touchdowns and 6 interceptions.

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The Buckeyes hope their playoff expertise can make them one other bowl win over Miami.

This matchup would be the sixth assembly between these two applications, with probably the most notable one the Fiesta Bowl in 2003. Ohio State beat Miami 31-21 in double extra time tin win the nationwide championship.