The Ohio State football program is looking to be the first team in the country to win back-to-back national titles since Georgia did it at the start of the decade. Last season, they went on perhaps the best four-game run in team history in the College Football Playoff to win the title.
After earning a first-round bye, the Ohio State Buckeyes will take on Miami in the Cotton Bowl. Ohio State's excellent defense will be looking to shut down Carson Beck and the rest of the Hurricane offense. In order to do that, they are going to have to put some pressure on him.
The Buckeyes are confident that they can win this game, but Miami has an upset on its mind. Will Ohio State continue a march towards a national title? Or will their season end early, becoming yet another team to lose after earning a first-round bye in the CFP?
Ohio State football final prediction and odds
According to DraftKings, the Buckeyes are 9.5-point favorites. The line hasn't moved since it was first introduced. It's pretty clear that Vegas believes the Hurricanes are no match for Ohio State. I tend to agree, and this game won't be very close.
Final prediction: Ohio State 24 Miami 7
As everyone saw against Texas A&M, Miami struggles to score sometimes. If Ohio State puts Beck under pressure, there is almost nothing he can do to move the ball and complete passes. Malachi Toney is a formidable weapon, but Beck won't be able to find him with Arvell Reese in his face.
Urban Meyer's prediction was right. If Ohio State scores two touchdowns, this game is over. Jeremiah Smith is playing his first game against his hometown team, and he is excited to be able to send them home. He will be the best player on the field, and he won't be stopped.
Miami has a good defensive line. That much is true. But with Gabe VanSickle being an upgrade at right guard over Tegra Tshabola, the Ohio State offensive line should be able to handle the Hurricanes. The Buckeyes will pull away in the second half.