The Miami Hurricanes were the first team to put up at least 20 points on the Ohio State Buckeyes during the 2025 season. There will be no mulligan for OSU, which now has to find a new identity after its elite receiver recruiting guru up and left for the USF Bulls' head coaching job, and its head coach embarrassed himself trying to call plays in his stead.
Brian Hartline will clearly be missed. Ryan Day has a lot of soul-searching to do. Actually, he has an offensive coordinator search to do. Get the clipboard away from that man immediately after that 24-14 abomination of a loss in the Cotton Bowl Classic to the Canes.
As for Miami? They might've just used the Buckeyes as a springboard to fully arrive in the College Football Playoff. Some feel the statement transcends this season.
Cleveland.com's Stephen Means believes that Mario Cristobal's team may have just announced their arrival in the sport beyond the 2025/2026 CFP. Means also believes the Canes got cosmic revenge from the 2002 national championship game.
"Back in 2002, Ohio State used the Hurricanes to establish a new era of football in Columbus while sending a message to the rest of the country that more was to come," Means prefaced before saying, "As the sun sets on the calendar year 2025, Mario Cristobal and his program are returning the favor."
"Miami is finally ready to reclaim its spot among the nation’s elite."
"The ‘U’ is officially back."
The U is back, but only for now if the recruiting wins don't continue. Corey Hetherman may have earned himself some consideration for NFL jobs with his defense's performance, limiting every Buckeye weapon to a modest showing. It may be an uphill climb to retain this level of dominance in Coral Gables if there's personnel attrition.
Then again, the city of Miami might sell itself. Their rev-share payouts certainly do.
Miami's football program owed its fanbase a significant win, and certainly owed its donors after helping them land an eight-figure roster. Mission accomplished.
Ohio State went all in to beat TTUN and lost itself on the way
As for Ohio State, it seemed like the season ended for Day and Co. in November after defeating TTUN in "The Game."
There was no tangible replacement plan for Hartline in the event he left. Day looked woefully unprepared for the Canes' pass rush after the two collaborated on a sloppy effort in the B1G title game against the Indiana Hoosiers.
The Buckeyes lost their way long before they lost this game.