Thu Jan 01 23:40:00 UTC 2026: Miami Hurricanes Shock No. 2 Ohio State, Advance to College Football Playoff Semifinals

DALLAS, TX – In a stunning upset, the No. 10 Miami Hurricanes defeated the No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes 24-14 in the Cotton Bowl on Wednesday, securing their spot in the College Football Playoff Semifinals.

The Hurricanes’ victory was fueled by a strong defensive performance and timely offensive plays. After a defensive struggle in the first quarter, Miami exploded in the second, scoring two quick touchdowns to take a 14-0 lead. A pick-six injected even more momentum into the Canes’ sails.

Ohio State struggled to find their rhythm, finally getting on the board early in the third quarter. However, Miami responded, maintaining a 10-point lead. The Buckeyes narrowed the gap early in the fourth, but the Hurricanes sealed the victory with a late touchdown drive, capped off by a pass from Carson Beck to Mark Fletcher. An interception on Ohio State’s subsequent drive solidified the win.

Miami now advances to face the winner of Thursday’s matchup between No. 3 Georgia and No. 6 Ole Miss. The Bulldogs, riding a nine-game winning streak and fresh off an SEC Championship victory, present a formidable challenge. Ole Miss, energized by a dominant first-round win and motivated after Lane Kiffin’s departure, will prove a challenging opponent as well.

The remaining College Football Playoff schedule is as follows:

Quarterfinals:

  • No. 5 Oregon vs. No. 4 Texas Tech (Thursday, January 1, Noon ET, ESPN)
  • No. 9 Alabama vs. No. 1 Indiana (Thursday, January 1, 4 p.m. ET, ESPN)
  • No. 6 Ole Miss vs. No. 3 Georgia (Thursday, January 1, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN)

Semifinals:

  • Thursday, January 8 and Friday, January 9 (7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN)

National Championship:

  • Monday, January 19 (7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN)

Miami will discover its semifinal opponent on Thursday evening.

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