The Ohio State football team has been waiting three weeks to play a football game. The Buckeyes have a bad taste in their mouths from losing in the Big Ten Championship Game to Indiana. Taking on Miami will give the Buckeyes a chance to wash that taste away.
Heading into this game, the Ohio State Buckeyes are 9.5-point favorites over the Hurricanes. They are still one of the most talented teams in the country. Despite that fact, a few college football analysts are picking the Hurricanes to upset the Buckeyes in this game.
After Danny Kanell picked the Hurricanes without really giving a reason, an ESPN analyst has also decided to take Miami to upset Ohio State. While appearing on Get Up, Jordan Rodgers picked the Hurricanes. He was the only one on the show to do that.
ESPN analyst picks Ohio State football team to fall to Miami
Rogers, an SEC Network analyst, picked the Hurricanes to beat the Buckeyes because of Carson Beck, which is a wild argument.
"I think this version of Carson Beck that we've seen the last five games has shown the experience of protecting the football. Making smart decisions, and that has to be the Carson Beck we see against Ohio State."
Beck threw for 86 yards against Texas A&M. Rogers and Josh Pate tried to use the wind in that game as an excuse for why he was so bad through the air. The weather won't be a factor in the Cotton Bowl, but Ohio State's defense will be. Beck can't handle pressure, which will be a big part of Ohio State's game plan.
Ohio State sees the doubters out there. They know that it's very hard to win back-to-back national championships. Beating the Hurricanes is the first step on that journey, and playing solid defense against Beck is going to be the key to doing just that.