Ohio State enters the College Football Playoff quarterfinal against Miami in the Cotton Bowl, 63rd nationally, averaging 162.77 rushing yards per game. Bo Jackson leads Ohio State and is 28th nationally, averaging 86.25 rushing yards per game.
If Miami can stop the run and make Ohio State one-dimensional, that will allow Rueben Bain, Akheem Mesidor and the Miami pass rush to let loose and get after Buckeyes' quarterback Juilan Sayin. Jackson leads Power Four true freshmen with 1,030 rushing yards and 697 yards after contact per Max Chadwick of Pro Football Focus.
Chadwick also noted that Ohio State is seventh nationally with a 75.9 PFF run blocking grade. Per Chadwick, Ohio State runs inside zone or gap schemes 74 percent of the time. Ohio State running inside will test Miami defensive tackles David Blay and Justin Scott.
Miami is 11th nationally with a 93.1 PFF run defense grade per Chadwick. The Hurricanes are seventh nationally, allowing 87.00 rushing yards per game and ninth, holding opponents to 2.87 yards per carry. Miami has allowed over 100 yards rushing in only four games in 2025.
"If Miami’s front seven can bring its hard hats and force the Buckeyes into obvious passing downs, the Hurricane defensive line can pin its ears back as pass-rushers and cause problems for Julian Sayin. "Max Chadwick, Pro Football Focus
The blueprint to containing the Ohio State offense
Miami is 16th in successful play rate against inside zone or gap runs per Chadwick. Chadwick noted that Indiana and Texas were the only teams to hold Ohio State under 100 yards rushing and below 24 points. The Hoosiers and Longhorns set the blueprint for how to contain the Ohio State offense.
Getting Ohio State in third and long will be critical. That begins with stopping the run. Miami is 11th nationally, holding opponents to 31.43 percent on third down. Ohio State was second nationally to Indiana, converting 54.93 percent on third down.
Miami has proven the ability to shut down elite running backs. Heisman Trophy finalist Jeremiyah Love had 10 carries for 33 yards against Miami and Texas A&M ran 35 times for 89 yards versus the Hurricanes. Jackson could be the key for Ohio State against Miami.