The Ohio State football team has been waiting a while to get back on the football field. After losing to Indiana in the Big Ten Championship Game, they have been champing at the bit to get back in the win column. The Cotton Bowl is their first chance of doing so in the College Football Playoff.
The Buckeyes will be taking on Miami in the Cotton Bowl. They are pretty big favorites, but Miami fans have been talking a lot of smack on social media. As the game gets closer, here are three bold predictions for the game, focusing on the Ohio State Buckeyes.
1. Jeremiah Smith scores two touchdowns
No player is more ready to play this game than Jeremiah Smith. Smith is taking on his hometown team and is very excited to play in this one. He is fully healthy for the first time in a while, and he is going to be the focal point of Ohio State's game plan, especially early.
Smith will score two touchdowns in this game, similarly to what he did against Tennessee in the first round of the College Football Playoff a year ago. Miami simply doesn't have any defensive back who can cover him and keep him from creating big plays.
2. Ohio State records five sacks
Miami fans have been talking a lot about how good their defense is, but Ohio State has the top overall defense in the country statistically. Carson Beck is one of the worst quarterbacks in college football under duress, so expect the Buckeyes to bring pressure throughout this game.
Ohio State should be able to get at least five sacks in this contest. Not all of them will be from the defensive line, but Beck will have no answer for what Matt Patricia will be able to scheme up on the defensive side of the ball. He will be confused throughout the game.
3. Julian Sayin throws for 250+ yards
With Ryan Day making the decision to take over the play-calling, Ohio State is going to air it out. He loves letting his quarterback sling it all over the field, and he certainly trusts Sayin to be smart with the ball. He was a Heisman Trophy Finalist for a reason.
With the weapons he has available, he should be able to throw for at least 250 yards in this game. He's good enough to take over this game from kickoff.